Stavanger Airport
Stavanger Airport, Sola (IATA: SVG, ICAO: ENZV) is an international airport located in the municipality of Sola, Rogaland county, Norway, approximately 11 km southwest of Stavanger city center.[1][2] It serves as the primary gateway for southwestern Norway and is owned and operated by the state-owned Avinor, functioning as a key hub for both commercial fixed-wing flights and helicopter services supporting the offshore oil and gas industry in the North Sea.[3][1] Opened on 29 May 1937, it holds the distinction of being Norway's oldest airport and features two asphalt runways: 11/29 measuring 2,449 m × 45 m and 18/36 measuring 2,856 m × 60 m.[4][2] The airport is Norway's third-busiest by passenger traffic, handling approximately 4.3 million passengers in 2023, along with significant cargo volumes of around 7,800 tonnes annually.[1][3] It supports over 30 international and several domestic destinations, primarily served by more than 10 airlines focusing on Scandinavian and UK routes, while its heliport accommodates extensive operations for the energy sector.[3][1] Beyond aviation, the facility includes modern terminals designed for up to 6 million passengers, family-friendly amenities, shopping, dining, and parking options, contributing to regional tourism and economic connectivity. Passenger traffic grew by 1% in 2024.[3][5][6]History
Early development and construction
The development of Stavanger Airport at Sola stemmed from Norway's growing aviation sector in the interwar period, where the Royal Norwegian Navy Air Service, established on 1 June 1912, operated coastal seaplane bases to support maritime reconnaissance and training, setting the stage for land-based facilities in western Norway.[7] In response to increasing demand for both military and civilian air transport, the Norwegian government launched construction of a dedicated airfield at Sola in April 1935, selecting the site over an initial proposal at nearby Forus due to its favorable coastal location and terrain. Funded primarily through state appropriations via the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the project aimed to create a dual-purpose facility for landplanes and seaplanes, reflecting pioneers like Halfdan Wilken, an early Norwegian aviator and DNL founder, who advocated for expanded infrastructure.[4][8] Work progressed steadily through 1936 and 1937, resulting in a 1,000-meter concrete runway—the second such surface in Europe—alongside basic hangars for up to a dozen aircraft and a rudimentary control tower for coordinating flights. The seaplane base incorporated adjacent sheltered waters for floatplane operations, enabling integration with naval activities.[9][8] The airport opened officially on 29 May 1937 as Sola Flystasjon, inaugurated by King Haakon VII in the presence of government officials and aviation leaders, with initial emphasis on military pilot training for the Norwegian Army Air Service using aircraft like the Fokker C.V. Limited civilian operations commenced shortly after, handled by Det Norske Luftfartselskap (DNL) on domestic routes, though the facility remained under joint military oversight until the onset of war.[10][4]World War II and military occupation
During the German invasion of Norway on April 9, 1940, Sola Airfield was seized by Fallschirmjäger paratroopers of the 1st Parachute Regiment following preparatory dive-bomber strikes by Ju 87 Stukas, marking one of the first large-scale airborne assaults in military history.[11] The facility, which had been under construction pre-war, was rapidly converted into Fliegerhorst Sola, a major Luftwaffe base for operations over the North Sea and North Atlantic.[12] Norwegian defenses, consisting of incomplete bunkers and limited anti-aircraft positions, offered minimal resistance, allowing the Germans to secure the site intact for immediate use.[13] From 1940 to 1945, the Luftwaffe extensively expanded the airfield using forced labor organized by the Organisation Todt, including Soviet prisoners of war and civilian conscripts from occupied territories, to construct concrete runways, hangars, bunkers, and anti-aircraft batteries such as those at Ullandhaug and Tjelta.[14][13] The base served as a key hub for fighter squadrons, notably elements of Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77), which conducted patrols and intercepts against Allied convoys, as well as bomber units targeting shipping in the region.[15] Allied air forces mounted repeated raids on Sola starting in 1940, with intensified bombing campaigns in 1943 and 1944 targeting runways, workshops, and aircraft dispersals, causing significant damage to infrastructure despite robust German defenses. These attacks, including RAF Bomber Command missions, aimed to disrupt Luftwaffe operations but often resulted in high Allied losses due to the airfield's fortified position. The site was liberated on May 9, 1945, when advance elements of the British 1st Airborne Division landed to secure it as part of Operation Doomsday, preventing sabotage by retreating German forces.[16] Post-liberation assessments revealed extensive cratering on runways, destroyed hangars, and scattered wreckage from over 200 Luftwaffe aircraft, though core facilities remained salvageable; initial repairs by Allied engineers enabled limited operations within weeks, facilitating the demobilization of German troops.[16]Post-war civilian expansion
Following the end of World War II, Stavanger Airport, Sola underwent significant repairs to address damage from military use and occupation, enabling its transition to civilian operations. The airport reopened for civilian flights in 1946 under the oversight of the Norwegian Civil Aviation Administration, marking the resumption of scheduled domestic and international services managed initially by the newly formed Det Norske Luftfartselskap (DNL), a precursor to Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS).[8][17] Infrastructure improvements in the 1950s laid the foundation for expanded civilian traffic, including a runway extension to 2,000 meters and the installation of instrument landing systems to enhance safety and reliability in Norway's often challenging weather conditions. These upgrades supported the introduction of jet services in 1960, which revolutionized operations by allowing faster and more efficient flights, including the establishment of international routes to key European destinations. By the 1960s and 1970s, Braathens SAFE and SAS emerged as the primary carriers, with services increasingly focused on transporting workers to and from North Sea oil platforms, driven by the burgeoning offshore industry that positioned Sola as a vital hub for energy sector logistics.[17] Further growth necessitated major facility enhancements, culminating in the construction of a dedicated passenger terminal in 1980 to accommodate rising demand. This development, coupled with ongoing capacity expansions, enabled the airport to handle over 1 million passengers annually by the 1990s, reflecting its evolution into a major regional gateway while balancing civilian and residual military functions.[17][18]Modernization and recent developments
In the 2010s, Stavanger Airport underwent significant infrastructure enhancements to accommodate growing passenger volumes and improve operational efficiency. A key upgrade in 2016 expanded the check-in facilities to 29 counters, including 12 new self-service kiosks, boosting the airport's capacity to handle up to 4.5 million passengers annually.[19] Sustainability initiatives gained momentum in the early 2020s, aligning with Norway's broader environmental goals. In 2022, the airport installed a 880 kWp solar farm spanning ten acres, complemented by a 576 kWh battery storage system, to support renewable energy production and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. These measures form part of a microgrid setup aimed at peak shaving and local power generation.[10] Preparations for electric aviation advanced concurrently, with infrastructure developments including a solar-powered 600 kWh battery pack and charging stations; test flights using a fully electric aircraft were conducted in 2025, with the first intercity route between Stavanger and Bergen completed in September 2025, and commercial service planned for 2026.[20][21] The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted operations, with passenger traffic at Avinor's airports, including Stavanger, plummeting due to travel restrictions and reduced demand in 2020 and 2021. Recovery accelerated post-2021, with overall Norwegian airport traffic reaching 51 million passengers in 2024—a 5% increase from 2023 and 95% of 2019 pre-pandemic levels—marking near-record volumes at key hubs like Stavanger.[22][23] The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES), introducing automated biometric border control for third-country nationals, launched on 12 October 2025 at Schengen airports including Sola, promising faster processing times through passport data and biometrics registration to streamline border management.[24][25]Operations
Airlines and destinations
Stavanger Airport, Sola, serves as a key hub for both domestic and international passenger traffic, with ten airlines operating scheduled flights to 28 destinations as of November 2025. Domestic services primarily connect to Oslo with up to 22 weekly flights by Norwegian and SAS, alongside routes to Bergen and Trondheim operated by SAS, Norwegian, and Widerøe. International offerings include daily connections to Amsterdam via KLM and Copenhagen via SAS, with Norwegian providing service to London Gatwick. Recent developments include the launch of LOT Polish Airlines' four-weekly flights to Warsaw–Chopin starting November 24, 2025. The Esbjerg route is currently operated by AIS Airlines (under the LYGG platform) to support North Sea industries. Loganair operates the route from Newcastle.[26][27][28][29][30] In addition to fixed-wing passenger flights, the airport facilitates cargo and charter operations, including helicopter services for North Sea oil rig support. Operators such as CHC Helikopter Service and Bristow Norway transport personnel to offshore platforms under contracts with companies like Equinor.[31]| Airline | Destinations | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLM | Amsterdam (AMS) | Daily | Year-round |
| LOT Polish Airlines | Warsaw–Chopin (WAW) | 4 weekly | Begins November 24, 2025; year-round |
| Lufthansa | Frankfurt (FRA) | 14 weekly | Year-round |
| Norwegian | Alicante (ALC), Barcelona (BCN), Bergen (BGO), London–Gatwick (LGW), Oslo (OSL), Paris–Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Trondheim (TRD) | Varies: Oslo up to 40 weekly; others 1–7 weekly | Seasonal to Alicante, Barcelona (October–April) |
| SAS | Bergen (BGO), Copenhagen (CPH), Oslo (OSL), Stockholm–Arlanda (ARN), Trondheim (TRD) | Varies: Oslo and Bergen multiple daily; others 20–30 weekly | Year-round; codeshare with Widerøe |
| Widerøe | Bergen (BGO), Oslo (OSL) | Multiple daily | Year-round; regional focus |
| AIS Airlines (LYGG) | Esbjerg (EBJ) | Varies | Year-round; tailored for North Sea workers |
| Loganair | Newcastle (NCL) | Varies | Year-round |
| Wizz Air | Gdańsk (GDN), Kraków (KRK) | 4–9 weekly | Year-round |
Passenger traffic and statistics
Stavanger Airport, Sola, experienced steady growth in passenger traffic leading up to 2019, when it handled a peak of approximately 4.2 million passengers, reflecting its role as a key hub for domestic and international travel in southwestern Norway.[32] The COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp decline, with passenger numbers dropping to about 1.5 million in 2020 due to travel restrictions and reduced demand.[32] Recovery has been gradual, supported by the resumption of flights and economic rebound in the region, with numbers reaching 3.95 million in 2023 and 3.95 million in 2024.[33][34] Projections for 2025 indicate further growth to around 4.5 million passengers, driven by anticipated increases in international connectivity.[35] The following table summarizes annual passenger trends from 2010 to 2025, highlighting the pre-pandemic growth, the 2020 downturn, and subsequent recovery. Data for earlier years show consistent expansion tied to the local economy, while recent figures reflect post-pandemic stabilization.| Year | Passengers (millions) | Change from Previous Year (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 3.2 | +4.0 |
| 2015 | 4.5 | +5.5 |
| 2019 | 4.2 | +2.0 |
| 2020 | 1.5 | -64.3 |
| 2023 | 3.95 | +8.0 |
| 2024 | 3.95 | +0.0 |
| 2025 | 4.5 (projected) | +13.9 |
Infrastructure
Runways and ground facilities
Stavanger Airport, Sola, features two asphalt runways designed to accommodate a range of aircraft operations. The primary runway, designated 18/36, measures 2,856 meters in length and 60 meters in width, enabling it to handle narrow-body jets such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families.[2] This runway supports instrument landings with precision approach capabilities. The secondary runway, 11/29, is 2,449 meters long and 45 meters wide, primarily serving general aviation and smaller aircraft during favorable wind conditions.[2] Both runways are equipped with lighting systems for night and low-visibility operations, and displaced thresholds are in place to ensure safe obstacle clearance: 150 meters on runway 18/36 and varying distances up to 153 meters on runway 11/29.[38] The airport's apron infrastructure spans multiple areas totaling over 150,000 square meters, providing more than 20 aircraft stands across domestic, international, cargo, and general aviation zones.[39] Apron 9, the main passenger area, includes 18 stands, while additional aprons such as 10, 11, and 12 support remote parking and specialized operations. Taxiways connect these areas efficiently, with ongoing plans to add a parallel taxiway to runway 11/29 for improved ground movement.[39] Navigation aids enhance the airport's operational reliability, including an Instrument Landing System (ILS) Category II on runway 18 for low-visibility approaches down to 100 feet decision height.[39] The on-site Sola VOR/DME (ZOL) station at 116.85 MHz provides distance measuring equipment for non-precision approaches, supplemented by a TACAN for military and compatible civil use.[40] Ground handling facilities support year-round operations in Norway's variable climate, with dedicated de-icing pads located on taxiways P and Q to treat aircraft before takeoff.[39] Fuel storage infrastructure, managed by airport service providers, includes reservoirs northwest of the helicopter area with capacity for sustained operations, though expansions are planned for alternative fuels like hydrogen.[39] Snow removal equipment comprises ten sweepers, a high-performance milling machine, and a multi-purpose Unimog vehicle, ensuring rapid clearance of runways and taxiways during winter storms.[41] These assets maintain the airport's high availability, with historical extensions to the main runway having supported its growth into a key North Sea hub.[39]| Runway | Length (m) | Width (m) | Surface | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18/36 | 2,856 | 60 | Asphalt | Commercial jets (e.g., Boeing 737, Airbus A320) |
| 11/29 | 2,449 | 45 | Asphalt | General aviation |