bmi regional to launch Gothenburg and Kristiansund services from Stavanger

bmi regional, the UK’s most punctual airline, is to continue its expansion into the Scandinavian market with the launch of scheduled services from Stavanger to Gothenburg and Kristiansund.

The new services will start on 23 January 2014 with Stavanger – Gothenburg operating a daily service Sunday to Friday and Stavanger – Kristiansund operating daily Monday to Friday.

Flights will depart Stavanger at 1450, arriving in Gothenburg 1555, departing Gothenburg 2120 and arriving in Stavanger at 2230. The Kristiansund service will depart at 1315, arriving in Stavanger at 1420 before departing at 1510 for a 1620 arrival in Kristiansund.

The two routes will complement bmi regional’s established services from Aberdeen to Oslo and Kristiansund and the new routes it will start flying from Stavanger to Harstad-Narvik Airport (Evenes) and Tromsø on 23 January 2014.

Providing improved connectivity to the oil and gas industry, with time and cost benefits, has been a key driver for the airline’s route development in Scandinavia and the North-east of Scotland in recent months.

Cathal O’Connell, chief executive of bmi regional, said: “The additional connectivity that we are providing out of Stavanger will further enhance our offering to the people, communities and businesses that we serve in Norway and Sweden. We anticipate that the new routes will attract both business and leisure traffic and support socio-economic development in the region.”

Stavanger Airport director Leif Lorentzen said: “Improved connectivity between Stavanger and Kristiansund has been on the region’s wish list three years in a row. We know that the increased schedule will be welcomed by the Stavanger and Kristiansund business communities. Stavanger Airport is particularly delighted that a sought after route like Gothenburg is re-opened, having not been operated for a number of years. We have actively been in dialogue with our colleagues in Swedavia, in order to achieve this. We are really pleased that bmi regional is choosing to establish yet another important connection from Rogaland to the world with this route, confirming its commitment to the Stavanger region and its presence in Norway.”

Charlotte Ljunggren, airport director for Swedavia at Gothenburg Landvetter Airport said: “It is really gratifying to get another destination from our airport with bmi regional. The airline’s service to Stavanger will be a welcome and important addition to the routes available from Göteborg Landvetter Airport, especially for businesses in our region.”

Ole Kristian Pettersen, airport director at Kristiansund Airport, said: “Increased connectivity for the oil and gas industries in Stavanger and Kristiansund has been on the agenda for several years. The introduction of bmi regional on this route will give the business and leisure markets in both regions new and improved opportunities. We look forward to welcoming bmi regional with its second route from Kristiansund in less than six months.”

Jan Soppeland, managing director of Greater Stavanger Economic Development, said: “We at Greater Stavanger know how much connectivity means to the energy industry. It is great news that bmi regional is starting direct routes from Stavanger – the energy capital of Norway – to Gothenburg and Kristiansund. bmi regional has entered the Norwegian market with routes from Stavanger to Northern Norway already, and its commitment to the market is of vital importance for the city to have better route connections.”

bmi regional operates an 18-strong, all jet fleet and its scheduled network currently serves 21 destinations in eight countries. The airline also operates an extensive ad hoc charter business and flies on a contract basis on behalf of other carriers. It was named Silver Airline of the Year at the annual European Regions Airline Association (ERAA) awards in October.

bmi regional has recently made significant route announcements in Norway. It launched Aberdeen to Kristiansund in August and Aberdeen to Oslo in October and recently confirmed an increase in frequency to the Oslo route. It will also commence a Newcastle – Brussels service in March next year.