The sun awaits over 718,000 travelers – high traffic in the summer weeks
Credit: Øystein Løwer/Avinor
Stavanger Airport, Sola is entering the summer with expectations of over 718,000 travelers from June 17 to August 24. Several of the busiest days are approaching 13,500 passengers, and traffic is at a high level throughout the period.
– This will be a busy summer with steady and high traffic week after week. It is especially on the most popular travel days that traffic will be felt, says Anette Sigmundstad, Airport Director at Stavanger Airport Sola.
The busiest days this summer will be:
- June 19: 13,088 travelers
- July 3: 11,832 travelers
- August 21: 12,304 travelers
- August 23: 11,874 travelers
- August 24: 13,472 travelers
Traffic builds up towards the public holidays and remains high throughout July. It peaks again at the end of August, when many return. Fridays and Sundays are the busiest days, while Saturdays are quieter.
The travel pattern shows a clear combination of domestic travel and popular holiday destinations in Europe. Many people spend their holidays in Norway, while Spain and Greece in particular attract large volumes. Large cities such as Copenhagen, Amsterdam and London are also among the most sought-after travel destinations.
– We are looking forward to the summer traffic with all the travelers, and have planned well for the busiest periods. At the same time, we are dependent on passengers showing up in good time, says Sigmundstad.
Good advice for a smooth journey from Sola:
- Arrive well in advance – preferably 1.5–2 hours before departure.
- Check in digitally before you arrive
- Have your boarding pass and passport/ID ready.
- Pack your hand luggage correctly
- Follow the information from the airline.
- A good mood always makes the journey more enjoyable for yourself and those around you.
Increase in illegal drone flying near the airport
Stavanger Airport has registered a clear increase in illegal drone flying near the airport in the past year.
– We are seeing a clear increase in drone incidents around the airport. This is worrying, says Sigmundstad.
Over the past 12 months, a number of incidents have been recorded within the exclusion zone around the runways. 61 of these have been serious enough to warrant reports. In comparison, the number is 24 at Oslo Airport, 29 at Bergen Airport and 11 at Trondheim Airport.
The development is likely related to more private individuals acquiring drones – both adults and children – without sufficient knowledge of the regulations. At the same time, long, bright summer evenings lead to increased activity.
– Aviation safety is paramount, so delays or rerouting can, in the worst case, have consequences for travelers. We have experienced that planes have to wait or change routes as a result of drone sightings, says the airport director.
This is what you need to know if you are going to fly a drone:
- It is prohibited to fly drones near airports without permission.
- Illegal drone flights can lead to delays and operational changes
- Even small drones can pose a safety risk to aviation
- If you are caught flying a drone illegally, you will be reported to the police and risk fines.