Norse Atlantic Airways Appoints Eivind Roald as New CEO

Norse Atlantic Airways Appoints New CEO as Carrier Pursues Strategic Turnaround

Norse Atlantic Airways, the Norwegian long-haul low-cost carrier, announced a significant leadership change on November 28, 2025, appointing Eivind Roald as President and Chief Executive Officer. Roald replaces founder Bjørn Tore Larsen, who will transition to Chairman of the Board.

Roald’s appointment reflects the airline’s strategic reorientation and comes during a critical period of transformation for the carrier. His background positions him well to navigate the complex challenges facing Norse Atlantic Airways. Prior to joining the airline, Roald served as CEO of CRST Advisory, a firm specializing in big data and artificial intelligence solutions for business optimization. This expertise in leveraging technology for operational improvement aligns directly with Norse Atlantic’s modernization efforts.

The new CEO brings substantial aviation industry experience, having served as Chief Commercial Officer and later Executive Vice President & Managing Director for Growth at Scandinavian Airlines between 2012 and 2017. During this tenure, SAS successfully executed a major commercial and financial turnaround—experience directly applicable to Norse Atlantic’s current trajectory.

Roald’s career also includes senior management positions at global technology firms including Accenture and Hewlett-Packard, alongside roles at Norwegian tech investment firm QNTM, demonstrating versatility across multiple sectors.

Norse Atlantic Airways has recently demonstrated tangible progress on its turnaround strategy. Following several years of substantial financial losses, the carrier implemented significant operational restructuring beginning in 2024. The airline narrowed its route network focus to core markets, resulting in improved load factors and enhanced profitability. This disciplined approach contrasts sharply with earlier expansion strategies.

A key component of this turnaround involves diversified revenue streams through the ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) market. The airline’s partnership with India’s fast-growing low-cost carrier IndiGo exemplifies this strategy. Norse Atlantic has leased six of its 12 Boeing 787 aircraft to IndiGo, enabling the Indian carrier to accelerate European market expansion while generating stable revenue for the Norwegian operator.

Roald’s appointment suggests the board views the airline’s strategic repositioning as sufficiently established to require execution-focused leadership experienced in scaling operations and optimizing commercial returns. His track record in navigating airline sector complexity and driving operational efficiency makes him well-suited to capitalize on Norse Atlantic’s emerging momentum.

The leadership transition maintains continuity through Larsen’s continued involvement as Chairman, preserving institutional knowledge while bringing fresh operational expertise to the executive role.

Source ID: SRCE-2025-1764324046589-1008