Traveling to and within Norway is straightforward, thanks to its extensive network of airports. With around 50 airports serving 50 million commercial passengers yearly, even the most remote regions are accessible by air.
Stretching over 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles) from south to north, Norway has a varied landscape including deep fjords, glaciers, and thousands of islands. Norway is one of the most mountainous countries in Europe, and the coastline is one of the most rugged and longest in the world, extending over 58,000 kilometers.
With this rugged geography, low population density, and extensive infrastructure, routes between major Norwegian cities are among the busiest routes on the continent.
Major Airports in Norway
All of Norway’s major cities have airports that offer both international and domestic flights, making travel easy and convenient. Key airports include:
- Oslo Airport, Gardermoen (OSL): Located just 47 kilometers from the capital, Oslo Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Norway, and regularly rates as one of the best airports in Europe. It serves as the main international gateway, with connections to cities across Europe, North America, and Asia.
- Bergen Airport, Flesland (BGO): Situated on the west coast, this airport is a key hub for travelers exploring the fjords.
- Trondheim Airport, Værnes (TRD): Connecting central Norway to the rest of the country and beyond.
- Stavanger Airport, Sola (SVG): Vital for offshore oil and gas operations, as well as for travelers heading to southern Norway.
- Ålesund Airport, Vigra (AES): Situated on the northwest coast, offering both domestic and international flights to major European hubs.
Regional Airports in Norway
Smaller airports like Tromsø, Bodø, Kirkenes and multiple airports within the Lofoten Islands provide access to the Arctic and other remote regions. Norway’s Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) airports are engineered to handle challenging terrain, ensuring that even the most isolated communities remain connected.
Norway is home to the world’s northernmost airport with scheduled flights, Svalbard Airport, Longyear (LYR). Svalbard is also located outside of the Schengen area.
Airlines serving Norwegian airports
The two biggest airlines in Norway are SAS and Norwegian. Norwegian is one of Europe's leading low-cost airlines and the most punctual carrier in Europe, with direct flights to Norway from more than 70 European airports. Both carriers codeshare with the regional airline Widerøe, which flies to more than 40 destinations and smaller regional airports throughout Norway, in addition to several destinations in Europe.
Norse Atlantic Airways flies direct to Norway from several destinations in the USA including New York and Los Angeles.
International service to Norway is also offered by major airlines such as British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Air France and others.
Most Norwegian airports are operated by Avinor, a state-owned company ensuring high standards across the country.