Norway’s airports experienced a surge in international travel during August, with a 3% increase in overall passenger numbers compared to the previous year. This growth is largely attributed to a significant 8% rise in foreign visitors. However, domestic air travel saw a slight dip of 1% during the same period.
This trend reflects a larger pattern, according to Gaute Skallerud Riise, Vice President Traffic Development at Avinor. “We expect the increase in foreign tourists to continue in the coming years,” he stated. “We have been seeing this development for a while now, and our forecasts show that this trend will persist. Although the numbers include Norwegian travelers to warmer countries, the growth is primarily driven by foreign tourists.”
In August, a total of 2,470,278 domestic passengers traveled through Norway’s airports, while international arrivals reached 2,259,174. While domestic flights saw a slight decrease, international travel witnessed an impressive 8% increase compared to the previous year.
Meanwhile, drone activity at Norwegian airports has experienced a remarkable surge. August saw a total of 2,541 drone flights reported in Ninox Drone, Avinor’s drone management system, marking a doubling in activity compared to the previous year.
“We are seeing a steadily increasing number of drone flights,” explained Mats Gjertsen, who leads Avinor’s drone program. “We have now surpassed 12,000 registered users in Ninox Drone, which is a doubling in one year.”
These figures highlight the dynamic nature of air travel in Norway. While international tourism continues to flourish, the domestic market exhibits a slight decline. However, the burgeoning drone activity within airport environments underscores the evolving landscape of air travel and its potential impact on the future.
