Profits up, traffic down at NORWAY'S AIRPORTS

Norwegian airport operator, Avinor, has reported an upturn in income and profits for the first half of 2015 despite a decrease in traffic.

Avinor's operating income for the first half of the year was NOK5,117 million compared with NOK5,101 million for the corresponding period last year. 

During the first six months of the year, the Group had a profit after tax of NOK566 million against NOK523 million for the corresponding period in 2014.This profit is higher than last year mainly due to reduced project expenses and lower net financial expenses.

“With limited growth, it is important for Avinor to operate efficiently. We are working towards clear goals in order to reduce the company’s costs by way of an ambitious modernisation programme," says Avinor, CEO Dag Falk-Petersen.

"We are targeting cost savings of NOK1.5 billion in the period from 2015 to 2018. Additionally, we are focusing on streamlining operations through the use of new technology and efficient operating concepts, including remote-operated towers.


"Our objective is to strengthen Avinor’s competitiveness and ensure that we provide effective aviation services nationwide now and in the future."

Air traffic measured in passenger numbers across Avinor’s airports fell by 1.3% in the first half of the year compared with the first half of 2014. 

According to Avinor, the decrease is primarily due to reduced domestic traffic and offshore helicopter traffic, and has been most noticeable at Stavanger Airport Sola, and Bergen Airport Flesland.

Traffic continues to grow at Oslo Airport Gardermoen with an increase of 0.7% in the first half of the year. 

Avinor Flysikring has seen strong growth in the number of overflights (en-route navigation) with a year-on-year increase of 10.3 per cent as at 30 June.

The Group’s operations are safe and reliable, with regularity of 98% and punctuality of 88% over the last 12 months.

To facilitate better co-ordination and efficiency of airport operations, there are plans to merge Avinor AS and Oslo Lufthavn AS. The target date for completion of the merger is 1 January 2016.