Lasse Sandaker-Nielsen, press officer for the struggling low-cost airline, told the Norwegian news wire NTB that the two planes would depart for Oslo from Malaga and Alicante airports on Tuesday. 

 

“In order to get as many Norwegians as possible back in the next few days, we have deployed our largest 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, with 344 seats, on some routes,” he said in an email. 

 

READ ALSO: 

 

Sandaker-Nielsen said the airline was also planning to send planes to other countries where Norwegians are stranded on holiday. 

 

The airline had hoped to return to profit this year after a big bet on low cost long-haul routes sent it into the red. But it has been hit hard by measures taken to stem the spread of coronavirus, in particular the US's decision to stop incoming flights from Europe. 

 

On Friday, the airline welcomed the government's decision to suspend flight taxes and charges. 

 

“We think it is very good that the government is now reducing the tax burden for Norwegian aviation, but unfortunately this is not enough in the very demanding situation we are in,” chief executive Jacob Schram said in a press release. 

 

The airline announced on Thursday that it would temporarily lay off up to half of its staff to help survive the crisis.