Passenger traffic returns to Avinor’s airports

Credit: Avior

The number of commercial air transport movements increased from 29,100 to 50,917 in April 2022, which is equivalent to an increase in 75 per cent compared with April 2021. Compared to April 2019, there were three per cent fewer air transport movements.

The number of passengers travelling to and from international destinations at Avinor’s airports rose from 65,180 passengers in 2021 to 1,315,930 in April 2022. This equates to an increase of 1,919 per cent. Compared to 2019 figures, 27 per cent fewer passengers travelled.

Delighted for businesses reliant on visitors

The fact that traffic has risen so markedly compared with April 2021 is as a result of the then prevailing restrictions in both Norway and globally. The easing of restrictions as we entered 2022 has once again made travel at home and abroad possible to a much greater extent than in the last two years.

“We are seeing a clear upswing in our traffic figures, both in terms of the number of passengers and in terms of the number of air transport movements, and we believe this has a positive impact on jobs connected to our airports, and on businesses throughout Norway that rely on visitors as a whole,” commented Gaute Skallerud Riise, Vice President Traffic Development for Avinor.

Good news for the travel industry

Norwegian businesses that serve visitors are already noticing the impacts of air traffic increasing and believe that this is good news for an industry that has struggled throughout the pandemic.

“We are very satisfied with the fact that Avinor’s traffic figures are climbing. It is vital that Oslo has a strong route network operating out of Oslo Airport. Businesses reliant on travel and tourism in Oslo are currently experiencing high levels of activity, and we are embarking on the summer season with renewed optimism and motivation,” added Christian Lunde, CEO of VisitOSLO. 

Trondheim is also delighted that traffic is now on the way back.

Berit Rian, CEO of Mid-Norway Chamber of Commerce and Industry said: “We are pleased that many airlines have chosen Trondheim as a destination. A good route offer is very important for developing the business in the region, and not least for attracting visitors to Trøndelag.”

Traffic figures for the four largest airports in April break down as follows (compared with 2021). 

Oslo Airport (OSL)

• Domestic: 330 per cent more passengers – a total of 856,131
• International: 1,951 per cent more passengers – a total of 992,255
• Commercial air transport movements: 190 per cent – a total of 16,668.

Bergen Airport (BGO)

• Domestic: 164 per cent more passengers – a total of 323,359
• International: 1,531 per cent more passengers – a total of 144,265
• Commercial air transport movements: 67 per cent – a total of 7,466.

Stavanger Airport Sola (SVG)

• Domestic: 238 per cent more passengers – a total of 181,294
• International: 1,432 per cent more passengers – a total of 91,169
• Commercial air transport movements: 73 per cent – a total of 4,754.

Trondheim Airport (TRD)

• Domestic: 253 per cent more passengers – a total of 269,950
• International: 4,774 per cent more passengers – a total of 47,275
• Commercial air transport movements: 103 per cent – a total of 4,269.