Picture: This is what the new airport may look like. Illustration: Nordic – Office of Architecture.
On this page, you will find frequently asked questions about the new airport in Mo i Rana.
What is the current status of the project?
Last updated 28.04.23:
In June 2022, the ESA approved Avinor’s funding of the new airport in Mo i Rana with support from the Norwegian Government and Rana municipality. This allowed Avinor to award the first contracts the following month for preparatory works. This work has now begun. The same month, the contract for the turnkey contractor was awarded, and AF Gruppen received the job of building the airport itself.
Construction work began on 6 September 2022. PK Strøm has been awarded the contract for the construction roads which are expected to be completed after summer 2023. The task of building the pipeline network has been given to Tore Løkke.
Avinor and AF Gruppen are in the final stages of negotiations regarding the interactive contract for the new airport in Mo i Rana. In mid-April 2023, a subcontract was signed ensuring work throughout the 2023 summer season.
Why does Avinor think there should be a new airport in Mo i Rana?
Avinor has received a commission from the Norwegian Ministry of Transport to build a new airport in Mo i Rana. The airport will provide improved transport infrastructure to the wider community in Helgeland and create a boost for businesses in the region. During the entire construction period, Avinor will work alongside both Rana Municipality, Polarsirkelen Lufthavnutvikling AS (PLU) and the rest of the local community to develop an efficient, modern and future-oriented airport.
We are looking forward to building a new major airport in Helgeland!
How long will operations continue at the old airport, and will there be an overlap period?
Operations will continue at the old airport until the new one is finished and starts operations. There will be a period of trial operations at the new airport, and there will be coordination between the airports. After this, the old airport will stop operating and be decommissioned.
How is the new airport being funded?
The new airport is being funded as a joint venture between the state, municipality and local businesses.
On 23 June 2022, the ESA officially decided on the funding of the new airport in Mo i Rana was in line with EEA state aid rules. The role of the ESA is to ensure that EEA countries do not provide state aid in an illegal manner.
Construction of the new airport has a cost framework of NOK 3.3 billion. The state will contribute NOK 2.7 billion to the project, the municipality will contribute NOK 450 million, while local businesses and private donors will contribute NOK 150 million.
When was it decided that the airport would be built?
In 2014, Avinor was commissioned by the Norwegian Ministry of Transport to develop a feasibility project with an associated license application. The feasibility project was completed in 2015. In 2020, the Norwegian Ministry of Transport commissioned Avinor to take on the further process of building the airport. This involved negotiating agreements for local funding, updating the feasibility project from 2015 and assessing relevant aspects of Polarsirkelen Lufthavnutvikling AS’s (PLU) preliminary work including the tender documentation and completed tender process.
The project has undergone external quality assurance (QS2) under the quality assurance scheme for major state investment projects.
On 23 June 2022, the ESA approved Avinor’s funding of the new airport with support from the Government and Rana municipality.
After a long and thorough evaluation process, AF Gruppen Norge AS was awarded the contract to build the new airport in Mo i Rana as the turnkey contractor on 18 August 2022.
Who decided that the airport should be built?
The Norwegian Ministry of Transport tasked Avinor with building the new airport in Mo i Rana.
Why can’t the current airport be used?
The existing airport is surrounded by high mountains, which is challenging for both take-off and landing. As such, it is not suitable for longer runways and larger aircraft. The reason behind building the new airport is a desire to strengthen transport infrastructure and help businesses in Helgeland thanks to a longer runway, allowing direct flights to Oslo and southern Europe.
Have any capacity studies been carried out?
Many market research studies have been carried out to map the traffic base and the need for a major airport with a longer runway under the auspices of Avinor, Polarsirkelen Lufthavnutvikling (PLU) and the Norwegian Ministry of Transport.
It has been decided by the Storting that an airport capable of meeting the region’s long-term needs should be built with a runway of 2,200-2,400 metres in length, and the new airport is dimensioned to accommodate larger category C planes (737) and perhaps category E as well.
During the interactive phase with the contractor, Avinor will optimise the project so that these needs will be fulfilled in a good manner and within the cost target and cost framework set by the Storting.
What will the passenger capacity of the airport be?
The project criteria from 2020 state that the new airport in Mo i Rana will be dimensioned for 196,000 passengers during the opening year, increasing to 220,000 over the next 15 years. The dimensioning figures have been taken from the feasibility project from 2015.
When is the ground breaking?
The preparatory works, which involves laying construction roads, discharge pipes and setting up site offices began in autumn 2022.
How will I as a neighbour be affected by construction?
You can read about this on the page “For our neighbours”.
How can I contact the development organisation if I have a complaint?
Send us an email at nyflyplassmoirana@avinor.no, and we will help you.
Questions from the neighbours meeting of 25.10.2020
Fagerliveien has been damaged by construction traffic, when will it be repaired?
To the extent that the project has damaged the road, it will be repaired.
Can residents ask for vibration meters?
The project is carrying out an assessment of where vibration meters should be installed. If you are concerned, please contact us and the project will assess your needs.
Blasting at Skuggheia – will residents be warned?
The contractors have reviewed their warning procedures. You can also sign up for a blasting alerts, see how on this page.
There is too much construction traffic on Granheiveien.
This concern has been passed on. Construction traffic must run according to the conditions so that no dangerous situations arise.
Sweeping/watering in connection with dust removal on Fagerliveien has been requested.
The contractor shall sweep/wash away dust on Fagerliveien as needed. This will be followed-up internally in the project.
Will maps and drawing be published on the Avinor website?
Maps, drawings and other relevant information will be published continuously on the “For our neighbours” page.
What is the hight of the runway?
The planned hight is about 150 metres above sea level, rising eastwards.
How can we get an invitation to future neighbours meetings?
Send us an email at nyflyplassmoirana@avinor.no, and we will put you on the invitation list.