Major expansion plans at Oslo Airport: Meeting future growth and export needs

“We have essentially put the entire Oslo Airport on the drawing board,” says Thorgeir Landevaag, airport director at Oslo Airport, about the plans for the future main airport.

Oslo Airport has initiated planning work to address future growth in Norwegian export, import and passenger traffic. The initiative is part of a larger modernisation plan for Oslo Airport and marks the start of extensive efforts to secure an efficient, sustainable and competitive main airport for Norway in the decades to come. The main airport is already experiencing a shortage of aircraft parking spaces, while the cargo market has grown at record speed in recent years.

“We need to take action on capacity quite promptly, while also looking further ahead. That’s why we’ve developed a concept that we believe will stand the test of time and at the same time accommodate future space requirements. With this initiative, we are ensuring that Norway retains a robust, efficient and forward-looking main airport for generations to come,” explains Landevaag. He emphasises that these are proposals and plans for the future, and that several decisions remain to be made.

Building a new cargo area

Norway depends on a strong and well-functioning cargo system for seafood and other critical goods. Seafood is the country’s second largest export, and Oslo Airport is a central hub in the global transport chain.

“The plans involve moving today’s cargo area to the west side of the airport, with new associated cargo and logistics terminals. This will secure both capacity and delivery stability for an industry that is crucial for national logistics preparedness and export strength, and not least create many new jobs,” says the airport director.

Establishing the cargo area on the west side will also free up space and capacity that can be used for further development of passenger traffic and new routes.

“The airport currently has a shortage of aircraft parking spaces at night and during peak periods. The alternative is to build new parking spaces in less central areas of the airport, but that is far more cost-intensive. With this concept, we can reuse the infrastructure we already have,” he explains.

Optimising the runways

Avinor will also optimise the use of the current two runways and introduce technical and operational measures such as rapid exits. This will allow for more aircraft movements without significant land or environmental impact. The new capacity utilisation may therefore postpone the need for a third runway, while the airport can meet increasing demand in the years ahead.

“We are also looking at how the terminal can be fully utilised and, in the longer term, expanded, but this is further down the line. This initiative will create ripple effects far beyond the airport. With these measures, we are laying the groundwork for new jobs and strengthened business development throughout the Eastern Norway region. At the same time, space and capacity will be freed up for further development of passenger traffic and new routes – with direct significance for both rural areas and Norwegian export industries.”

The project as a whole is estimated to be ready by 2040, with the cargo area as the first phase – subject to necessary investment decisions and further approval.