Oslo, Norway, 2013-10-08 — /travelprnews.com/ — Tuesday, 8 October marks the 15th anniversary since Oslo Airport (OSL) opened its doors and runways as Norway’s new main airport at a ceremony presided over by His Royal Majesty King Harald on 8 October 1998.
A Color Air flight bound for Ålesund piloted by Captain Tord Tangvik was the first departure from OSL, taking off at 06.58.
Strong growth
In OSL’s first full year of operation, 1999, 14 217 050 passengers travelled via the airport. In 2012, 22 080 433 passenger travelled via OSL, an increase of almost 64.4%. In the first year of operation, 46% of passengers travelled internationally, compared with 53% in 2012. These figures make OSL the second largest airport in the Nordic region measured in passengers, exceeded only by Copenhagen, Kastrup, with 23 336 187 passengers in 2012. In February 2013, Oslo Airport surpassed Kastrup for the first time ever, becoming the largest airport in the Nordic region in that month.
The most-travelled route is Oslo-Trondheim with 1 806 378 passengers in 2012, closely followed by Oslo-Bergen with 1 716 695 passengers.
“We are, of course, proud of the growth the airport has seen since 1998. We have been the largest airport in the Nordic region on one occasion, and see no reason why we can’t achieve that accolade for a full year sometime in the future,” says OSL Managing Director Nic. Nilsen.
“Capable and innovative employees and a clear vision have made this possible, and our growth has exceeded our wildest hopes both as regards size and rate,” says Nilsen.
Many milestones
The airport has seen riveting development over its 15 years. The main hall has been expanded, the non-Schengen area has been rebuilt, new aprons and new areas for restaurants and shops have been opened, and the duty-free shop for arrivals has been expanded five times.
“Those who have followed the airport from the beginning will agree that things are quite different now than they were 15 years ago,” says Nilsen.
Building for the future
The passenger growth has resulted in a need for higher capacity at the airport. The expansion of Oslo Airport is fully under way and is scheduled for completion in 2017. This is one of the largest construction projects in Norway and will provide 17 new aprons, 11 of which will be accessible by bridge. Four gates at OSL have been closed in connection with the construction work, and a temporary pier has been built to maintain infrastructure and passenger services in a transition phase.
“Oslo Airport wants to be at the forefront of developments, making it necessary to increase capacity and our own infrastructure to succeed. We are looking forward to the expansion and believe that this will lift OSL to new heights in the coming years,” Nilsen concludes.
Anniversary week
In connection with the anniversary, the employees of Oslo Lufthavn AS will be present in the Terminal, handing out muffins to passengers between 07.00 and 17.00 on Tuesday, 8 October.
From the week starting 30 September, OSL has held a competition on Facebook, asking our passengers to tell us when they will travel from OSL in the anniversary week. Five winners of a travel gift cheque worth NOK 15 000 will be drawn among the participants. One randomly chosen winner will get an extra pleasant start to their journey from Oslo Airport on each day, from Monday to Friday. Winners will be contacted at the airport before departure.
In addition, this week will see the launch of TV8’s new reality show about life at the airport. The first show will be broadcast on TV8 Romerike on Monday, 6 October.
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Oslo Airport celebrates its 15th anniversary on 8 October 2013