Flights to Argentina from £299 are being introduced by Norwegian as the low-cost carrier starts its first UK route to South America.
The Gatwick to Buenos Aires service is due to start on February 14 next year as the airline’s 11th long haul route from the London airport.
The airline will deploy a two-class Boeing 787 Dreamliner on the route with four flights a week to Buenos Aires Ezeiza international airport.
One-way economy fares went on sale today leading in at £299 with premium rates starting at £699.
The London-Argentina route will be operated by the UK subsidiary Norwegian UK which was established in 2015 to give the airline a stronger foothold in the UK market, and allow it to access bilateral traffic rights to Asia, Africa and South America.
The UK arm is based at Gatwick and will use British-registered aircraft and Gatwick-based crew to operate the new services.
Norwegian also established an Argentinian subsidiary earlier this year, with plans for a “considerable operation” in in the country including domestic flights.
Chief executive, Bjorn Kjos, said: “With our new Argentina route we are offering UK passengers more choice and lower fares to another exciting global destination. Buenos Aires is a cosmopolitan capital city with something to offer all travellers and Norwegian has fares to suit all budgets.
“From Europe, the USA, Asia and now South America, our long-haul network is going global and the UK will continue to be at the heart of our ambitious plans for expansion.
“We also see huge potential in the Argentinian market so this is not only a major milestone as our first South American route, it is also a first step towards ambitious plans for international and domestic growth in Argentina.”
Transport minister Lord Callanan said: “This will unlock new trade and tourism opportunities in UK and Argentina, which will boost our economies, provide more choice for consumers and open up new business links.
“Britain is a global trading nation and this is an excellent example of government and industry working together to build and strengthen our connections with the world.”
Argentina tourism minister Gustavo Santos said: “Argentina has opened to the world and global air connectivity is key for tourism.
“We celebrate the arrival of this flight and all the air commercial development that Norwegian is undertaking in our country.”
Argentine ambassador Carlos Sersale di Cerisano said: “In 2016 visitors from the UK soared 7%.
“Our plan is to boost figures from 5.7 to 9 million tourists by 2020 to promote our country, its culture, nature and products.
“This announcement by Norwegian is key to improve our country´s international air connectivity for a better integration to the world.
“The fact that the airline chose Buenos Aires to open its first ever South American route confirms that Argentina is the natural door to the continent.”
Gatwick Airport chief executive, Stewart Wingate, said: “Norwegian’s new direct route to Buenos Aires shows that the low cost long haul revolution continues to break new ground.
“The boom in these routes is a major factor in Gatwick recording the second largest increase in direct connectivity of any European airport over the last five years. Gatwick now serves more than 50 long haul direct services and this is only the beginning.
“This is the future of air travel becoming a reality before our eyes and is being driven by new low cost long haul services that Gatwick and Norwegian have pioneered.”