New for Norway

With extra flights, heavy investment in aircraft and a brand new ice hotel, there is plenty of things that are ‘New For Norway’.

Norwegian Air Shuttle Invests in More Planes

Low-cost carrier, Norwegian Air Shuttle has ordered 42 new Boeing 737 planes, with the option to buy 42 more as it expands its ever-growing route system. The airline will take delivery of the planes over a five-year period from 2009 to 2014 with around ten per year.

The company claim the aircraft will reduce fuel consumption by up to 33 per cent and carry about 40 more passengers per flight than its current planes.

Chief executive, Bjorn Kjos said: ‘These purchases will open up new opportunities, enabling us to fly longer distances and consider new, interesting routes. The airplanes are also significantly more environmentally-friendly than the ones we use today and reduce Norwegian’s CO² emissions and bring down fuel costs.’

News of the new purchases comes days after Norwegian announced plans to set up a new base at Rygge airport, 40 minutes south of Oslo. Direct flights from London Stansted start on 14th February 2008 and are on sale now. Norwegian has also introduced a new direct route from London Gatwick to Oslo Gardermoen, starting on 28th October. To book, go to Norwegian.no.

SAS and Widerøe Also Add to Flights

Direct flights from London City to Oslo Gardermoen have now been launched by SAS. The new double daily service was introduced following demand for stronger business links between London’s financial district and Norway’s capital. Fares start at £58 one way including tax. To book go to Flysas.com.

For those wishing to fly to Norway from Scotland, SAS Group airline, Widerøe will soon increase its services from Aberdeen to Stavanger and Bergen. From 29th October the airline will introduce an additional return service operating from Monday to Thursday between Aberdeen and Stavanger. This will take the number of flights between the two destinations to 30 per week. It will also introduce an extra service from Bergen to Aberdeen on Monday mornings departing Bergen each Monday at 06.30.

Motorcycles Go Free With DFDS

Travel from Newcastle to Stavanger with DFDS on a Sunday departure and your motorbike goes free! Motorbikes can also go free coming back to the UK on Monday departures from Stavanger to Newcastle. Offer valid on Sunday sailings from Newcastle until 23rd September and on Monday departures from Stavanger until 24th September. Motorhomes go for the price of a car on these same departures, making a saving of £62.

For more information, go to Dfds.co.uk.

Increase in British Visitors to Fjords

Visits to Fjord Norway from the UK have seen a fantastic increase of 21 per cent in the number of bed nights for the first six months of 2007. Innovation Norway has worked hard in the UK promoting the area with the main focus on short breaks to Bergen, Stavanger and Ålesund. This has included an advertising campaign on the London Underground for the first time.

Bigger Hotel in Norwegian Lapland

The Rica Hotel Alta has just finished a large expansion project, with the creation of 86 new rooms, new entrance and lobby area. The hotel conference capacity has increased from 350 to 650 people and the restaurant and bar have been redecorated. All of the hotel’s main areas have been refurbished and guests can enjoy a midnight sun and northern lights theme around the building. The hotel now offers 241 rooms. To book, go to Rica.no.

For more information about holidaying in Norway, go to Visitnorway.co.uk.