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bmi regional to launch new Aberdeen - Oslo service

17th September 2013 Print

bmi regional has announced a new a scheduled service between Aberdeen and Oslo commencing on October 28.

The news comes just days after bmi regional launched a direct, scheduled service between Kristiansund in Norway and Aberdeen in the UK, and domestic services in Norway between Stavanger and Northern Norway. There are no direct flights between Aberdeen and the Norwegian capital. Demand from the oil and gas industry and dialogue with key operators has again been fundamental to the decision to provide direct access to the Norwegian capital. In addition, leisure travel customers will be able to sample one of Scandinavia’s most dynamic and cultural cities.
 
bmi regional launched direct flights between Aberdeen and Kristiansund in Norway at the end of August and earlier this month confirmed that it would operate direct flights between Stavanger and Harstad and Tromsø in the far north of Norway from the end of January 2014 – becoming the first non-Scandinavian airline to launch scheduled domestic flights in Norway and directly linking the country’s two fastest growing regions for the first time.
 
In addition to its recently launched Kristiansund service, bmi regional operates flights from Aberdeen to Bristol, Manchester, Norwich and Esbjerg in Denmark.
 
Cathal O’Connell, chief executive of bmi regional said: “We are delighted to be launching a direct scheduled service between the cities of Aberdeen and Oslo. Both locations are strategic hubs for oil and gas activity which will offer significant time and efficiency savings for businesses in the North-east of Scotland and Norway.
 
“bmi regional’s Oslo route is further affirmation of our commitment to work with the energy industry here to deliver the connectivity that supports business growth. We have just launched Aberdeen to Kristiansund to great success, and we will commence domestic flights in Norway in 2014. The support and engagement we have received from the oil and gas industry in Scotland and in Norway is very encouraging. We are committed to developing a long term, strategic presence in these markets,” said Mr O’Connell.
 
Carol Benzie, commercial director at Aberdeen International Airport, said: “We are delighted to see bmi regional growing strongly at Aberdeen and really reflecting the demand in the market. Oslo is a key location for the North-east business community as well as being a great leisure route for both inbound and outbound travellers. It will be great to see Aberdeen linked again with the Norwegian capital. Coming hot on the heels of the bmi regional launch to Kristinasund, this region is pushing ahead as the best place to connect to the Scandinavian market.”
 
Oslo Airport, CEO, Nic Nilsen said: “We are delighted that BMI Regional is launching a service between Oslo Airport and Aberdeen. We know there is increased demand for travel between Oslo and Aberdeen, mainly driven by the gas and oil sector, and we therefore welcome the new route very much. We look forward to work with BMI regional to provide the best service for their passengers."
 
Scotland’s minister for energy, enterprise and tourism, Fergus Ewing said: “This new service is great news for Aberdeen, the North-east and Scotland. This new air route with Norway will help build business links between oil services companies in both countries and it also provides a boost for tourism in the north-east. It further underlines the importance of Aberdeen Airport to the economy of the North East and the strong performance of the Airport in recent years. I congratulate everyone involved in securing this important new service.”
 
Tom Smith, chairman of Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future, said: "bmi regional's new Oslo service is a significant development for the region's strategic air transport network. It will provide direct access to the Norwegian capital and the oil and gas businesses based there whilst offering considerable time savings to North-east businesses compared to the current indirect routings available to us."
 
Robert Collier, chief executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce said: "Norway is an important trading partner for the North-east business community and especially those in the oil and gas sector. A direct air link into the Norwegian capital will facilitate business development on both sides of the North Sea. I am sure that the North-east will seek to capitalise upon the enhanced connectivity that bmi regional is delivering for us."
 
Steve Harris, chief executive of VisitAberdeen, said: “We are delighted that the opportunities to attract tourists to Aberdeen continues to grow and that bmi regional, in particular, continues to expand into Scandinavia at a real pace. Aberdeen is fast becoming recognised as Scotland’s weekend city, where great value exists in hotels and elsewhere. The timings of this service will help us to develop that market.”
 
David Rennie, head of oil and gas at Scottish Enterprise said: “New air routes such as this are key to increasing Scotland’s global connectivity and developing business opportunities for our companies. In particular, we know that there is significant potential in Norway for our oil and gas supply chain to export their world-leading products and services. Similarly, the new route will also support Norwegian companies looking to develop investment opportunities in Scotland.”
 
Visitors to Oslo will find a range of cultural and natural attractions. The city is ranked number one in terms of quality of life amongst European cities. The Oslo Opera House is the city’s newest landmark and the largest cultural building in Norway, matching the artistic heritage found elsewhere in the city which was home to the playwright Henrik Ibsen and artist Edvard Munch.
 
Aberdeen-Oslo flights will operate six times a week, Sunday to Friday, and will be operated with a 37-seat Embraer 135 jet aircraft. Booking is now available via bmiregional.com or travel agents.
 
Flights commence October 28 2013, departing Aberdeen at 16:05, and arriving in Oslo at 18:45 everyday except Saturday. Flights depart Oslo at 19:15, arriving in Aberdeen at 20:00.
 
Fare start from £99 one way, and £175 return. From Oslo, fares start from NOK 999 one way or NOK 1999 return.