New flights which will indirectly link Aberdeen to energy hubs in the Arctic Circle will be launched this morning.
The new routes connecting Stavanger to Evenes and Tromso in the far north of Norway have been set up by bmi regional and are predicted to save the oil and gas industry £40million.
The flights will connect Norway’s two fastest growing regions and have been introduced to meet demand from the country’s energy sector.
Today also sees bmi regional start flying from Stavanger to Kristiansund in Norway and Gothenburg in Sweden.
bmi regional’s latest expansion in the Scandinavian and energy-related markets follows the launch of its Aberdeen-Kristiansund service in August last year and its Aberdeen-Oslo route at the end of October 2013.
It also operates services from Aberdeen to Bristol, Esbjerg in Denmark, Manchester and Norwich.
bmi regional’s decision to launch the routes from Stavanger was taken after the presentation of extensive route development analysis last year at ONS Norway by Norwegian local authorities and economic development bodies.
Cathal O’Connell, chief executive of bmi regional, said: “Our first domestic services in Norway will improve the connectivity available to the businesses and communities in northern Norway and Stavanger. Solid market data combined with engagement from local government, businesses and the airports convinced us to enter this market.
“We are particularly happy that we are connecting the people and communities in northern Norway with their families and friends in the Stavanger region as well as enabling the oil and gas industry and its supply chain to benefit from direct routes which offer significant time and cost savings.
Christine Sagen Helgo, mayor of Stavanger, said: “The news that bmi regional is starting direct routes between Stavanger, Harstad, Tromso, Kristiansund and Gothenburg is very progressive.
“The oil and gas industry is moving to the north of Norway and it is of vital importance to have better route connections, which bmi regional is delivering on today.”