According to its preliminary 2018 figures, the Company delivered revenues of approximately NOK 40.3 billion, EBITDA of approximately NOK -2.2 billion, EBITDA excl other losses/gains of NOK –1.2 billion, EBIT of approximately NOK -3.8 billion and EBT of approximately NOK -2.5 billion in 2018. At the end of Q4 2018, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of NOK 1.9 billion and equity position of NOK 1.7 billion. Due to the rights issue, the Company will publish its Q4 2018 results on 7 February 2019 as set out below.
The Company is changing its strategic focus from growth to profitability. The Company intends to capitalize on the market position and scale built up over the last years. As a consequence of the changed focus, the capital expenditures will be reduced, which is expected to be achieved by a combination of (i) aircraft divestment, including JV, and (ii) postponement of aircraft deliveries. Further, the Company is working on several operational improvements, including (i) the extensive cost reduction program, #Focus2019, which will contribute to estimated reduction of minimum NOK 2 billion in 2019, (ii) optimization of the base structure and the route network and (iii) the agreement with Rolls-Royce related to compensation for the operational disruptions on its long-haul operations which was entered into in December 2018. The Company will update the market further on these initiatives on its Q4 2018 presentation. The fully underwritten rights issue in combination with these improvement initiatives will significantly improve the financial position of the Company during 2019.
“Norwegian has been through a period with significant growth. Focus going forward will increasingly be on cost savings and CAPEX reductions. We will now get in place a strengthened balance sheet that supports the further development of the company. With the strengthened balance sheet, the organization can now devote all its attention to further development of the company,” says CEO Bjørn Kjos.