Norwegian Air CEO Jacob Schram smiles during an introductory press conference in Oslo on Nov. 20, 2019.Loss-making Norwegian Air has appointed Jacob Schram as chief executive to take charge of the budget carrier’s restructuring as it struggles with a low-cost, long-haul model in an overcrowded industry.
He replaces Bjoern Kjos, Norwegian’s founder who stepped down in July having built the carrier into Europe’s third-largest budget airline, shaking up the market for transatlantic travel with low fares to challenge traditional carriers such as IAG’s British Airways.
“Petrol retailing is not the aviation industry, but it’s still a tough business that’s gone through restructuring,” Schram said at a news conference. That industry is currently plagued by overcapacity which has led to the collapse of several airlines this year alone.