Expanding scheme for smoother connecting flights

“Connecting Norway” at Oslo Airport will be expanded. Now, about 20 000 passengers a month can proceed directly to their domestic flight after landing from an international flight. All passengers flying with Norwegian or SAS, and who are travelling with hand luggage only, can now take advantage of this – regardless of where you are flying in from.

The Connecting Norway trial scheme started at Oslo Airport in September. The scheme allows passengers who meet these criteria to proceed directly from their plane to a new customs area near the current Duty Free shop in the domestic departures hall. After clearing customs, they can take their next flight to their final destination in Norway, where they can pick up their baggage upon arrival.

“Avinor has planned a gradual introduction of Connecting Norway, in cooperation with the airlines and Norwegian Customs and Excise. The trial period so far has provided valuable feedback that we have taken into account, further improving the scheme,” says Thorgeir Landevaag, area director of terminal operations at Oslo Airport.

The scheme started in September, for arrivals from Milan only. The scheme was expanded over autumn, with multiple new destinations added. With the most recent expansions, Connecting Norway can now be used by about 20 000 passengers each month.

Streamlined process for Norwegian and SAS passengers with hand luggage only
Connecting Norway will be significantly expanded starting in mid-December. In addition to the inclusion of even more destinations, passengers on SAS and Norwegian without checked luggage can now use the solution, thus making the layover at Oslo Airport much easier for these passengers.

“Expanding Connecting Norway to include travellers with just hand luggage is a substantial improvement. Many of those who travel most frequently through Oslo Airport are business travellers on short trips, and this will make their travel experience even smoother,” says Landevaag.

Who qualifies for Connecting Norway?

The scheme only applies to passengers travelling with a through ticket to their final destination. This means that the baggage slip is marked with the final destination and not “OSL” when the passenger checks in abroad.

From 14 December, the scheme will apply for the following flights:

For travellers who only have hand luggage:

• Everyone travelling with Norwegian and SAS

For travellers with checked baggage:

• Norwegian: Milan, Geneva, Munich and Stockholm
• SAS: Munich and Stockholm
• Widerøe: Gothenburg

Avinor and the airlines are working to expand Connecting Norway even further. The plan is for everyone with a through international – domestic ticket to be able to use the solution from 15 June 2016.