Norwegian Cargo and Royal Mail have signed a two-year deal that will see Norwegian using its long-haul capacity to fly international airmail into the US on behalf of the UK parcel carrier. 

Part of low-budget airline Norwegian, Norwegian Cargo said the move is in line with its existing expansion plans to nurture both cargo and passenger growth. 

Royal Mail international service manager for western Europe, Scandinavia, Poland and Russia Gary Taylor said there has been an increase in purchases from the UK on the continent. 

This makes the enhanced network and wide body capacity offered by Norwegian an attractive proposition for Royal Mail partnership. 

Head of cargo at Norwegian Bjorn Erik Barman-Jenssen said: "Royal Mail has already trusted us to ship around 200 tonnes of mail to the US and Scandinavia so far this year and our UK services will expand with new routes and more capacity."