Avinor AS (Avinor), the state-owned limited company that operates most of the civil airports in Norway, has agreed to build a new airport 900 miles to the south of Bodø, Norway. The deal is based on a partnership between the municipality of Bodø, the Norwegian Armed Forces and Avinor, with completion of the new airport scheduled for completion in 2029. The overall cost of the project has been set at NOK 7.2 billion with Avinbor’s contribution to the project amounting to NOK 2.6 billion.
“We have always been committed to securing the right allocation of costs in the project, and on ensuring that the correct framework with all necessary clarifications is in place between the parties. Now that enough issues have been clarified, we are satisfied to be able to make this historic decision,” said Abraham Foss, CEO of Avinor. He also made no secret of the fact that the process to reach this decision has been a challenge Avinor. In January, the Board resolved to postpone its decision on the airport for several reasons, including the company’s financial following the pandemic. Avinor’s loss of income because of COVID-19 in the period 2020-2022 has amounted to NOK 16 billion.
The first contract to be announced will be published in the first week of January and will be for the construction of the runway, taxiways, aircraft stands and other external infrastructure, also referred to as ‘contract E02 airside’. “We are looking forward to getting to work on the project itself and we feel that this decision finally sees us underway.” The current airport at Bodø will remain fully operational up to the day before the new airport is officially opened (£1.00 = NOK 12.19 at time of publication).
