Summer holidays and new travel rules have made many Norwegians pack their bags and book a trip abroad.
– There has been a fairly marked increase in departures abroad. We notice that when the government eases the regulations, more passengers come to our terminals, says airport director at Oslo Airport, Stine Ramstad Westby.
On Thursday, Norway became part of the EU’s solution for corona certificates. This makes it easier for those who are fully vaccinated to travel in and out of Norway.
The employees at Oslo Airport expect that the number of travelers will continue to increase and are preparing for a hectic summer.
– I would say that we are as well prepared as we can be, says Westby.
– CHECK: There are several things to check before the passengers enter Norway. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB
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– It will take time
The corona certificate means that anyone who has been fully vaccinated or has undergone corona disease in the last six months can enter Norway without quarantine, test requirements or entry registration.
The airport is now working with the border police to create the best possible flow for passengers arriving in Norway.
– How easy is it to use this certificate when arriving in Norway?
– There are still many things that must be checked when you arrive in Norway. It will also take a little extra time now in the beginning, says Westby.
She asks all travelers to allow plenty of time for both departure and arrival.
– It is different to travel now after covid-19. We want to prepare travelers that increased travel activity can mean queues here at Oslo Airport, says Westby.
– This is the biggest challenge
There is one place in particular at the airport where there can be a lot of queuing and cramped space.
– The biggest challenge for us right now is the incoming border from abroad. It is an area that is very limited in size, says Westby.
Many Norwegians ready to travel at Gardermoen
As the regulations are today, all passengers coming from abroad must pass through this point at the airport.
Here, the border police make their checks on those who arrive in Norway.
– It takes time to get a good flow on all this. When the area is small and the number of passengers increases, there may be queues here. That is the biggest challenge now, says Westby.
Expect increased traffic
On Thursday, planes arrived at Oslo Airport from Vilnius, Barcelona, Frankfurt, Gdansk and Paris, among others.
In the time ahead, Westby believes that there will only be more and more people arriving in Norway from abroad.
– Even though the levels are still much lower than before the corona, there is an increase in the number traveling out of Norway now. Those who travel will also return home shortly. This means that we expect that arrivals abroad will increase, says Westby.
Received bookings during the press conference
The airline SAS notices that there are many Norwegians who are very eager to travel.
– We noticed it as soon as the government came with its relief before the weekend. Already during the press conference, we saw that the number of bookings increased, says John Eckhoff, press manager at SAS.
– GOOD TIME: The press officer asks the passengers to calculate a good time. Photo: Håkon Mosvold Larsen
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Spain, Greece, Italy and Croatia in particular are Norwegians’ travel favorites these days.
The press manager is happy that it is finally possible to travel abroad again, but emphasizes that it is important to calculate a good time.
– Traveling now is not the same as before the pandemic. It is important that you familiarize yourself well with the rules that apply at the destination and prepare for what documentation you need, says Eckhoff.
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