HISTORY: DET NORSKE LUFTFARTSELSKAP A/S (DNL), trading international as Norwegian Air Lines, was an airline and flag carrier of Norway. Founded in 1927, it operated domestic and international routes from 1935 to 1941 and from 1946 to 1951. It became one of the three founders of Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS). Norwegian Air Lines was actually founded in 1946. There was a "Det Norske Luftfartselskap" in 1927, but that was merely a company studying aviation. The ship owner Rudolf Olsen (of Fred. Olsen Lines) purchased the company in order to use the name for his own company: "Det Norske Luftfartselskap, Fred. Olsen & Bergenske" (1933-1946). In 1945 he lost his concession as the State wanted to start up a new airline. The State bought the company name (!) and "Det Norske Luftfartselskap, Fred. Olsen & Bergenske" changed its name in Fred. Olsen Flyselskap (Fred. Olsen Air Transport).
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