Norwegian (Oslo Gardermoen) is looking to enter the global leasing market with plans to assemble a portfolio of as many as 150 aircraft. Norwegian CEO Björn Kjos told Sweden's Svenska Dagbladet newspaper that his airline had already established a new company in Ireland with plans to focus on the B737 and A320 leasing markets.

Kjos said the decision to focus on narrowbody jets stemmed largely from strong European demand for the type.

"It's been a fantastic time for aircraft leasing companies and all indications are that airlines will want to continue leasing for the foreseeable future. In the long run, we may consider a separate listing (on the stock exchange) for our aircraft leasing company but Norwegian will probably always retain control of it," he said.

With orders for 100 A320neo from Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) alongside 100 B737 MAX 8s from Boeing (BOE, Washington National), the CEO says his airline could begin leasing aircraft out as soon as this year with plans to develop the subsidiary into a major contributor to Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA's overall revenue stream.

The last few weeks have also witnessed several new milestones in the LCC's history namely the recent launch of its maiden London Gatwick to New York JFK and Fort Lauderdale International routes. Speaking during the occasion, Kjos said Norwegian Long Haul (Oslo Gardermoen) is looking to purchase an additional twenty B787-9s for delivery after 2018. The additional capacity would accommodate the subsidiary's growth plans until 2022, he said.

Concerning the status of the airline's controversial Irish subsidiary, Norwegian Air International (Dublin International), Kjos said American authorities could not technically block the issuance of a Foreign Air Operator's Permit on the grounds that European regulators had already given the airline the greenlight.

"They can only drag it out," he told Reuters.