Nearly five million passengers travelled through Norway’s Avinor airports in August 2026, as continued growth in international travel largely offset weaker domestic demand.
Avinor recorded 4.96 million passengers during the month, down just 0.2% compared with August 2025.
Domestic traffic fell 2.1% to 2.52 million passengers, while international passenger numbers increased 1.8% to 2.39 million. Offshore traffic was slightly higher, rising 0.4% to 43,500 passengers.
The figures continue a broader trend seen across Norway this year, with international travel providing much of the market’s growth.
Nearly 36 million passengers so far in 2026
During the first eight months of 2026, Avinor’s airports handled 35.95 million passengers, an increase of 1.7% compared with the same period last year.
International traffic has been the main driver, increasing by nearly 3% year-to-date. Domestic passenger numbers have also grown, but at the slower rate of 0.7%.
“This reflects a resilient market and a continued strong appetite for travel,” said Eirik Wæraas, Director of Traffic Development at Avinor.
The August figures, however, show a divergence between international and domestic demand, with several airports benefiting from strong growth in visitors arriving from outside Norway.
International traffic jumps 21% at Tromsø Airport
Tromsø was one of the standout performers in August.
Total passenger numbers at Tromsø Airport increased 3%, while international traffic jumped by more than 21% year-on-year.
The figures continue Tromsø’s growing importance as an international tourism gateway to Northern Norway, a region that has attracted increasing numbers of overseas visitors in recent years.
Bergen Airport also recorded strong international demand. Overall passenger traffic at Bergen increased 4.3%, while the number of international passengers rose 13.4% compared with August 2025.
Harstad/Narvik Airport, Evenes recorded an 8.4% increase in total passenger numbers.
Oslo Airport passenger numbers decline
Performance was weaker at some of Norway’s largest airports.
Passenger traffic at Oslo Airport fell 1.6% in August, contributing to the slight decline recorded across Avinor’s network during the month.
Trondheim Airport and Stavanger Airport both recorded decreases of 0.4%.
According to Avinor, weaker demand in several of the country’s traditionally large domestic markets continues to weigh on overall passenger numbers.
“August confirms the pattern we have seen throughout much of the year. International traffic continues to drive growth, while the domestic market is developing at a more moderate pace,” Wæraas said.
Avinor said it is continuing work to strengthen Oslo Airport’s role as Norway’s national aviation hub and improve the country’s route network.
Regional airports show mixed performance
Traffic trends varied significantly across Avinor’s smaller airports.
Florø Airport recorded one of the strongest increases, with passenger numbers rising 14.4% year-on-year.
Brønnøysund Airport grew 4.5%, while Leknes Airport recorded a 4.4% increase.
Other regional airports experienced substantial declines.
Molde Airport saw passenger numbers fall 11.3%, while Hammerfest Airport declined 10.4% and Kristiansund Airport was down 9.4%.
The differences highlight the uneven recovery and development of air travel across Norway, with international tourism benefiting some destinations while several domestic-focused markets remain under pressure.
Flight movements remain broadly stable
Avinor recorded 55,918 aircraft movements in August, down 0.3% compared with the same month last year.
During the first eight months of 2026, its airports handled 420,163 flight movements, representing a slight increase of 0.3%.
Passenger traffic grew faster over the same period, with the 35.95 million passengers recorded year-to-date representing a 1.7% increase.
The latest figures reinforce the growing role of international travel in Norway’s aviation market, particularly at regional tourism gateways such as Bergen and Tromsø.
August 2026 at a glance: 4,955,162 total passengers (-0.2%); 2,519,554 domestic passengers (-2.1%); 2,392,108 international passengers (+1.8%); 43,500 offshore passengers (+0.4%); and 55,918 flight movements (-0.3%)
