Tag: Norway

Time to rediscover Fjord Norway as Edinburgh launches flights to Stavanger and Bergen

Loganair route to Bergen, norway returns from Edinburgh Airport

Last week saw the long-awaited return of direct flights from Edinburgh to Bergen and Stavanger, as Loganair revives the popular services, reconnecting Scots with Norway.

The two direct services from Edinburgh to Stavanger and Bergen have been relaunched for the first time since the pandemic, and they also mark the airline’s first international routes from Edinburgh Airport since 2019, and the first international route launches in the airlines 60th anniversary year.

The routes will see three flights per week reinstated to each destination. Flights to Stavanger take-off Tuesday, Thursdays and Sundays. Flights to Bergen take-off Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Additional flights from Aberdeen to Oslo Gardermoen will also commence in September to further strengthen connectivity between the countries.

Customers in Scotland that wish to venture further and explore Northern Norway will have the opportunity to connect easily via Loganair’s codeshare partnership with Norwegian regional airline, Widerøe. Flights to these destinations can also be booked at Loganair.co.uk.

Upon visiting Stavanger and Bergen, you will find much more than just breath-taking Fjords, but an unforgettable experience.

Bergen, Norway’s second largest city, is an incredible hub for both culture and history, with a vibrant night life, juxtaposed with contemporary art museums, such as the KODE. Similarly, Stavanger is full of colourful homes on colourful streets, white sandy beaches, and is home to some of Norway’s top restaurants.

Not unlike Edinburgh, Bergen and Stavanger’s dynamic central and urban culture makes the perfect getaway.

Both routes are operated by an Embraer 145 jet, and fares to Bergen and Stavanger start at £99.86 including 15kg luggage allowance and a mandatory carbon offset charge as part of Loganair’s sustainable flying programme – GreenSkies.

Kay Ryan, Loganair’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We are really excited to launch the recommencement of our international services between Edinburgh and the Norwegian cities of Bergen and Stavanger.

“As we start to see European travel strengthen as summer approaches, it is the ideal time to bring back two services that were, pre-pandemic, incredibly popular for both leisure and business travellers looking to enjoy all that Edinburgh, Bergen and Stavanger have to offer.”

Kate Sherry, Aviation Director at Edinburgh Airport, said: “Seeing these routes return to Edinburgh with Loganair is further evidence that things are really moving in the right direction as we continue our strong recovery.

“Welcoming back more routes between Edinburgh and Norway allows us to enhance connectivity for leisure and business passengers from both countries.

“For us it’s about offering passengers choice, and we’re excited to work with Loganair on helping people experience all Bergen and Stavanger have to offer.”

Stein Ove Rolland, CEO of Fjord Norway, said: “It is very positive that Loganair is relaunching its routes to the Fjord Norway region. After a demanding pandemic many are eager to get out and explore again, and the routes to Stavanger and Bergen will make experiences to the Norwegian fjords easily accessible for the Scottish people.”

Reservations for Loganair’s newly launched service between Stravanger and Edinburgh Airport can be made at www.loganair.co.uk, by calling Loganair’s Customer Contact Centre on 0344 800 2855 or via travel agents and travel management companies using all major global distribution systems.  

Edinburgh’s Christmas lights up the capital to thank key workers

  • Edinburgh’s Christmas lights are switched on with a specially lit 18 metre Christmas Rainbow on the Mound to accompany the Tree gifted by Norway.
  • The Christmas Rainbow symbolises both Edinburgh’s celebration of Christmas and gratitude for front line workers
  • Edinburgh’s Lord Provost and Norway’s Honorary Consul General switched the lights on following an online meeting between the Lord Provost and Vestland County Convenor, Jon Askeland.

Edinburgh looks very different this Christmas to any other year in recent memory. However, despite the lack of any live activity, City of Edinburgh Council and its Edinburgh’s Christmas producer, Underbelly, wanted to mark Light Night, the traditional switch-on, which is usually seen by thousands of locals every year, with something different to mark 2020 – the Christmas Rainbow.

The illuminated rainbow, which sits at over 18 metres wide on the Mound and adjacent to the Christmas Tree gifted to Edinburgh by Vestland in Norway, gives thanks to Edinburgh’s and Scotland’s front-line workers who have given so much during the recent pandemic and so provides a one-off festive celebration for Edinburgh.

The Christmas Tree and the Christmas Rainbow were switched on by The Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Frank Ross and the Honorary Consul General for Norway, David Windmill on Friday the 27th November, which succeeded an online meeting between the Lord Provost and the Vestland County Convener Jon Askeland.

Charlie Wood, co-director of Underbelly for Edinburgh’s Christmas, said: “There is no denying that Christmas this year will be a tough time for most. Many have lost loved ones and lots of us will be unable to spend the holidays with friends and family due to the Covid-19 restrictions.

“This was one of the reasons that we wanted to continue the tradition of the Edinburgh’s Christmas light switch on, in a safe and physically distanced way, and, most especially, why we wanted to mark what has been such a negative year with the Christmas Rainbow and the Christmas Tree, as symbols of colour, of light, of celebration, of positivity and of gratitude.”

Frank Ross, Lord Provost said: “Our annual Light Night signals the start for the festive season for me, but this year, like most things, we are doing it differently. 

“Whilst we can’t come together as a city for Light Night, I hope this year’s Christmas rainbow helps us enter the festive spirit, spread some happiness whilst celebrating and paying tribute to those in in our communities, NHS, key workers, volunteers and businesses who have gone above and beyond in this most challenging of years.

“With our partners Underbelly, we are committed to do all we can to bring Christmas spirit to the Capital and keep some of our traditions.  Our priority throughout remains people’s safety and making sure everything we deliver is Covid-secure.

“The Christmas lights will be switched on throughout the city in the coming days and we hope this helps to create a festive atmosphere and I sincerely wish that we can all have the happiest Christmas we can.”

David Windmill, Honorary Consul General for Norway said: “In a year when there has been so much change and difficulty for us all it was important for Norway to maintain its tradition of gifting the Christmas tree to the City of Edinburgh.

“This beautiful tree in the centre of the city reflects the gratitude of the people of Vestland on the west coast of Norway for help and support in the past and also the hope that this time next year we shall be celebrating the joyous and traditional Christmas in Edinburgh that we all know so well.”