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Tailwinds propel air traffic control business in Norway

Airlines are increasingly choosing to fly over Norway on USA-bound routes, providing a windfall for air traffic operators in the Scandinavian country.

Published: 21 November 2017 16:02 CET

Tailwinds propel air traffic control business in Norway

A Qatar Airways aircraft flying over Lillestrøm. File photo: Vidar Ruud / NTB scanpix

Airport operator Avinor has earned millions of kroner as a result of the extra westbound traffic, reports broadcaster NRK.

Increasing numbers of aircraft are passing over Norwegian airspace without landing, instead of taking a route across the Atlantic Ocean to get to the US, according to the report.

“The last five years have seen the number of flyovers in airspace controlled by North Norway double. That is a formidable increase,” Raymond Ingebrigtsen, head of air traffic control in Bodø, told NRK.

Airlines including Etihad, Emirates and Qatar Airways were the biggest users of Norwegian airspace, Ingebrigtsen said.

Since airlines using Norwegian airspace must pay charges to Avinor, extra income reaching tens of millions of kroner has resulted from the growth in traffic.

“For us the increase is positive. We must naturally increase staff during periods with more flyovers, but that apart, it is not something that requires investment,” Ingebrigtsen told NRK.

Wind conditions in Norway are one of the primary reasons for airlines choosing the route over the Scandinavian country.

Additionally, Norway is cheaper to fly over than the United Kingdom, writes NRK.

“Tailwinds are very good business for us. Airlines lose less money when they fly with tailwinds,” Ingebrigtsen told the broadcaster.

Despite the lower cost to airlines, the route over Norway makes journey times to the USA slightly longer.

Ingebrigtsen added that he did not expect the trend to continue.

“I don’t see this continuing to increase as much as it has up to now. The growth [in flights across Norway] is probably the result of new technology and newer aircraft,” he said.

“New aircraft have longer range, and can fly 12-13 hours. The means they can fly over larger areas without stopovers,” he added.

READ ALSO: Terror and Trump have transformed Norwegian travel habits

Explore Austria: Mauer, a charming wine-hiking spot on Vienna’s outskirts

Beautiful views and cosy taverns await you on the edge of Vienna. Photo: Catherine Edwards

Wine-hiking is an autumn must-do in Austria. There’s the official Wine Hiking Day (Weinwandertag) that usually draws in big crowds, but it’s also possible to follow the routes through beautiful scenery and wine taverns on your own.

Mauer in the southwest of Vienna is one of the routes that is mostly frequented by locals.

The footpath takes you through scenic vineyards. Photo: Catherine Edwards

You can reach this part of the 23rd district using Vienna’s public transport, and you have a few options. From the Hietzing station on the U4 line, you can take the tramline 60 or bus 56A. The former will take you either to Mauer’s central square or you can get off earlier at Franz-Asenbauer-Gasse to start the hike. If it’s too early in the day for wine just yet, you could start your day at the small and charming Designo cafe (Geßlgasse 6).

Otherwise, the residential area itself doesn’t have much to see, but keep an eye out as you wander between the taverns later — there are some beautiful buildings.

To start the hike, head west along Franz-Asenbauer Gasse, which will take you up into the vineyards, growing some red wine and Vienna’s specialty Gemischter Satz or ‘field blend’, which as the name suggests is a mixture of different types of grapes.

Photo: Catherine Edwards

The paved road takes a left turn, but the hiking route follows a smaller path further upwards. Here you’ll have magnificent views over the whole of Vienna.

If you stick to the official hiking route (see a map from Weinwandern here) you can keep the whole route under 5 kilometres. But more adventurous types don’t need to feel limited.

You can also follow the Stadtwanderweg 6 route (see a map here) either in full, which will add on a hefty 13 kilometres, or just in part, and venture further into the Mauerwald. If you do this, one spot to aim for is the Schießstätte, a former hunting lodge offering hearty Austrian meals.

EXPLORE AUSTRIA

In any case, you should definitely take a small detour to see the Wotrubakirche, an example of brutalist architecture from the mid-1970s built on a site that was used as a barracks during the Second World War.

Not far from the church is the Pappelteich, a small pond that is not only an important habitat for local flora and fauna, but a popular picnic spot for hikers. Its only water supply is from the rain, and due to climate change the pond has almost dried out in recent years, prompting the city to take action to boost its water supply by adding a permanent pipe.

The church is made up of over 150 concrete blocks. Photo: Catherine Edwards

What you really come to Mauer for, though, are the Heuriger or Viennese wine taverns.

The most well-known is Edlmoser (Maurer Lange Gasse 123) which has previously been named as the best in Vienna. Note that it’s not open all year so check the website, but in 2021 it should be open between November 5th and 21st, and is also serving the goose that is a popular feature on Viennese menus this time of year.

Tip for translating Heuriger opening times: look for the word ausg’steckt, which is used by those taverns which aren’t open year round. They will also often show that they’re open by attaching a bunch of green twigs to the sign or front door.

Buschenschank Grausenburger. Photo: Catherine Edwards

Also worth visiting are cosy Buschenschank Grausenburger (Maurer Lange Gasse 101a), Heuriger Wiltschko (Wittgensteinstrasse 143 — located near the start of the hiking route, this is a good place to begin your tour) and Heuriger Fuchs-Steinklammer (Jesuitensteig 28).

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