Why a new airport?

Slik kan den nye flyplassen bli seende ut. Illustrasjon: Nordic - Office of Architecture.

Picture: This is what the new airport may look like. Illustration: Nordic – Office of Architecture.

On this page you will find facts, history and information about the new airport in Mo i Rana.

Avinor has received a commission from the Norwegian Ministry of Transport to take responsibility for the construction of 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 Rana Municipality, Polarsirkelen Lufthavnutvikling AS (PLU), the local community and contractors in order to develop an efficient, modern and future-oriented airport.

The new airport in Mo i Rana will be significant for industry, tourism and the general desirability of the area.  The new Mo i Rana Airport, Fagerlia will replace the airport in Røssvoll, a mile outside of Mo i Rana.

History and background

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. Avinor could thus award the first contracts for the construction of the new airport.  

Construction began on 6 September 2022, with PK Strøm being awarded the tender for the construction roads, and Tore Løkke the contract for the pipeline network. Both contracts are expected to be fulfilled after summer 2023.  Avinor and AF Gruppen signed an interactive contract for the primary construction contract on 15 September 2022.

Avinor is now in the optimisation phase with AF Gruppen, where the final interactive contract will be worked out. However, in mid-April 2023, Avinor and AF Gruppen signed a subcontract to ensure work during the 2023 summer season.

Funding

Construction of the new airport has a cost framework of NOK 3.3 billion in 2020 kroner. 

In 2021, it was confirmed that the state would contribute NOK 2.7 billion to the project. The prerequisite for this was cost-sharing between the state, municipality and local businesses.

The municipality would contribute NOK 450 million, while local businesses and private donors would contribute NOK 150 million.

The airport itself  

Avinor aims to plan, build and commission a new forward-looking and environmentally adapted airport in accordance with current and future environmental requirements and standards. Our goal is that the Rana community will be proud of its new airport. 

At the new airport, a parking area with a capacity for approximately 450 cars will be built. There will be bus and taxi facilities, and charging stations for electric cars will be added. Remote towers (RTC) will be set up alongside satellite-based navigation solutions.