Shortcut to the world

Many observers note that Oslo is well on it’s way to becoming a global city. How can they tell? Yes, there are the bustling waterfront promenades, the vast new rows of skyscrapers and seemingly, a Tesla on every corner. But there’s something more in the air. Awareness. Confidence. Maybe even a little attitude? This is no longer a sleepy regional centre - and the residents themselves recognise it.   Those changes are mirrored at the Avinor Oslo Airport, Norway’s main aviation hub. With a major renovation and expansion nearly complete, Avinor Oslo airport is poised to take on a new role in global aviation, as a key shortcut to the world. Already it is served by 36 scheduled airlines and 16 charter operators, over 144 routes. In addition, 9 pure cargo airlines operate out of the airport.

Expanding to meet traffic growth

Following record-breaking growth in passenger numbers, Avinor Oslo Airport began an expansion program in 2011. Several key milestones have been reached and more work is underway, with completion planned by next year. The expansion will bring the airport to an annual capacity of 28 million visitors, up from 24 million in 2014.

Strategic intercontinental position

Avinor Oslo Aiport is geographically closer to North America than all other major airports in Scandinavia and Northern Europe. As a result, the airport is well suited to serve as a long-haul hub on east-west routes. Oslo is for example, about nine hours flight time to Chicago, eight to Delhi, or just eleven to Hong Kong.   Yet, the city is also around two hours flight time of key destinations in central and eastern Europe, such as Prague, Zurich and Budapest. This makes Oslo highly attractive to carriers serving intercontinental east-west routes.  

Natural gateway for the Nordics and Norway

Little known perhaps, is that Avinor Oslo Airport also is the hidden gateway to Scandinavia, boasting the largest feeder network of short-haul routes in the entire region. The airport connects airlines directly to more than international 50 destinations around Scandinavia and the Baltics.   Avinor Oslo Airport’s domestic position is just as strong. Jasper Spruit, Avinor’s Vice President for Traffic Development, notes that the airport plays a vital role as the hub in Norway’s aviation system. From here, travelers can access multiple connections daily to all 46 Avinor airports around the country. In fact, most Norwegian domestic destinations have scheduled connections to Avinor Oslo Airport as frequently as several times per hour. “Often, when I talk to airlines”, says Spruit, “I tell them: ‘I’m not just giving you an airport, I’m giving you an entire country in one go here”.  

A thriving region

Oslo itself is an increasingly popular destination in its own right. The city is not just the seat of government in Norway, but also the country’s business capital. Over the past few decades Norway has experienced steady economic growth across many economic sectors, from marine technology, to natural resource extraction, to aquaculture, tourism and many others.   Almost every sector in the country has close links to Oslo. The city is for example one of the world’s most important maritime financial centres, due to Norway’s large shipping and offshore sector business cluster.

The city is also the world’s leading financial market place for seafood, based on Norway’s role as the fourth largest exporter of seafood. From here, seafood travels to more than 100 countries. While the majority of air-freighted seafood leaves the country directly Avinor Oslo airport, this still only accounts for 25% of total seafood exports, leaving tremendous room for growth in cargo volume.

Affluent population

Not surprisingly, the capital region is highly affluent. According a survey this year, by CNN Money/Wealth Insight, the Oslo region ranks sixth in the world, when measured by percentage of residents who are dollar millionaires. However, the prosperity here is also broad-based. For, example, according to Forbes, Norway ranks first globally in GDP per capita, social capital, safety and security. These factors together shape a solid foundation for growth in air travel.  

The new capital of cool

There’s much more to Oslo than just money though – the city is also emerging as a cultural trendsetter. Oslo is buzzing, with many of its residence influencing the global scene in areas from about sustainable living, to design, food, coffee culture and much more. This is attracting a growing number of global tourists eager to find out about the new capital of cool. The city was recently highlighted by the Huffington Post as a future hotspot for the millennial demographic among travellers.

Bright prospects ahead

All in all, as the end of Avinor Oslo Airport’s third decade approaches, it’s been quite a rapid growth story. But clearly, there’s a lot more ahead. The airport offers airlines a rare opportunity, combining a strategic location along global east-west routes with solid foundation of travel volume – and strong growth ahead.    

Pullout Quote: “‘I tell airlines: ‘I’m not just giving you an airport, I’m giving you an entire country’.” - Jasper Spruit, Vice President of Traffic Development, Avinor