The region of Sunnhordland in the south of Vestland, with its 60,000 inhabitants, and Haugalandet, in the north of Rogaland, with over 110,000 inhabitants, may soon be without flights and airports. At Stord Sørstokken airport, the company DAT has signaled that they do not make money flying to and from Oslo, according to Stord24. At Haugesund Airport, the financial problems are so great after the pandemic that it also faces an uncertain future. Haugesund’s Avis writes that this could greatly affect workplaces in the entire region. If these two airports are closed, the nearest airport will be Sola in Stavanger or Flesland in Bergen. There are 75 kilometers between these two airports which are now in danger. Altogether, almost 170,000 inhabitants live in Haugalandet and in Sunnhordland. – We must be a region that invests in both battery factories and offshore wind. But if we don’t have the basic infrastructure in place, such as an airport, then no one will want to establish themselves here, warns parliamentary representative Terje Halleland (Frp). The airport at Stord is owned by Vestland county council and Stord municipality, while the airport in Haugesund is owned by Avinor, but leased to a private company. In 2019, 38,471 passengers traveled through the airport at Stord. In Haugesund, the number of passengers was 619,770 in the same year, according to figures from Statistics Norway. The airport at Stord is about 20 minutes by car from Leirvik. Photo: Olav Røli / news Demand answers from the government Both airports are struggling with the aftermath of the corona pandemic, which almost paralyzed air traffic over large parts of the world. – It will be dramatic to lose the flight offer at Stord, and even worse if Haugesund also suffers the same fate, says parliamentary representative Liv Kari Eskeland (H), who comes from Stord. She has several times asked Transport Minister Jon-Ivar Nygaard (Ap) to get Stord-Oslo as part of the state’s route purchases, so-called FOT routes, which means that the state buys flight services. These are FOT routes In order to ensure a good flight offer throughout the country, the state buys transport on flight routes that cannot be operated economically profitably. These routes are mainly in Western Norway and Northern Norway. FOT comes from “commitments to public services” In the purchase, requirements are set for ticket price, capacity, frequency, etc. Route area in southern Norway with contracts valid until 31 March 2024: Røros–Oslo Florø–Oslo Førde–Oslo Sogndal–Oslo Sandane –Oslo Ørsta-Volda–Oslo Ørsta-Volda–Bergen Sogndal–Bergen Sandane–Bergen Route area in Northern Norway with contracts valid until 31 March 2024: Routes between Kirkenes, Vadsø, Vardø, Båtsfjord, Berlevåg, Mehamn, Honningsvåg, Hammerfest and Alta. Hasvik–Tromsø, Hasvik–Hammerfest and Sørkjosen–Tromsø Lakselv–Tromsø Andøya–Bodø and Andøya–Tromsø Harstad/Narvik–Bodø and Harstad/Narvik–Tromsø Stokmarknes–Bodø and Stokmarknes–Tromsø Svolvær–Bodø Leknes–Bodø Røst–Bodø Brønnøysund– Bodø vv and Brønnøysund–Trondheim Sandnessjøen–Bodø vv and Sandnessjøen–Trondheim Mo i Rana–Bodø vv and Mo i Rana–Trondheim Mosjøen–Bodø vv and Mosjøen–Trondheim Namsos–Trondheim vv and Rørvik–Trondheim Route area with contracts valid until 31. July 2024: Værøy–Bodø (helicopter route) Source: The Government She believes this could have ensured a good and predictable offer, and more passengers. Now she believes that poorer route offers have destroyed the passenger base. – Public aircraft purchases would have ensured this in a completely different way, she believes. And add that they have previously been faced with the fact that the airport in Haugesund is so close. – But now that I see that Haugesund is also threatened, I would have expected this to be tackled in a completely different way, she believes. Secures flight offers in the north of Vestland The state, among other things, takes up the bill to secure flight offers between Oslo and the four airports in old Sogn og Fjordane. They have a population base of 110,000 people. In 2019, these four airports had a combined number of passengers of 398,890. – It would be very regrettable if we here in the south of Vestland were to lose our flight offer, Eskeland believes. – Can’t they use the airport in Bergen or Stavanger? – The route offer by boat and bus to and from these cities is almost good enough. It would be very demanding, especially for business, if this were the only option, she says. The airline DAT flies between Stord and Oslo. They have announced that poor finances mean that they are considering discontinuing the route offer. Photo: Olav Røli / news SD: – Both airports are important for the district State Secretary Johan Vasara (Ap) in the Ministry of Transport and Communications says they are aware of the situation for both airports. And he emphasizes that both are important for the region. – When it comes to the airport in Haugesund, he is part of the Avinor system. And in the Hurdal platform it is stated that the airport structure must be fixed, he says. He believes that it is primarily Avinor and Lufhavndrift AS that must find a solution to the money problem. – But should they fail to find a solution, the ministry must make a new assessment together with Avinor, he says. In 2019, approximately 40,000 passengers traveled to and from Stord airport, Sørstokken. Photo: Webcam at Stord Airport Vasara has no clear message for the airport at Stord. Including Stord-Oslo in the public flight purchase scheme is currently not relevant. – During the autumn, there will be a transport specialist report which will look at which routes are appropriate to include in the public scheme from 2024, he says. Problem for business The largest employer at Stord, Aker Solutions, which now has record activity, also fears the consequences. To Stord24, communications manager Odd Naustdal says that closing Stord and Haugesund will be very problematic. In the departure hall at Stord airport Sørstokken on Monday this week news meets Jorge del Pino. He is on his way to a meeting at the Trade Union in Oslo. – This is the closest and easiest alternative. Now I can drive here to the airport in 20 minutes, and be in Oslo quickly, he says. Jorge del Pino is chief shop steward for the Trade Union at Stord Hospital. He often uses the plane between Stord and Oslo when he is going to meetings in the capital. Photo: Olav Røli / news
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