Widerøe reports record passenger numbers in July driven by holiday shifts and international travel to Norway

Many are returning to work after the summer holiday, and this July has seen an unprecedented number of passengers flying to work, as reported by Widerøe. The airline expressed uncertainty about whether this surge indicates a shift in holiday schedules among travelers.

Additionally, various projects in the oil and energy sectors are driving increased travel activity across Widerøe’s network. The airline attributes this rise to factors such as “coolcation” trends and favorable exchange rates for foreign tourists.

Widerøe has reported daily flights filled with international travelers, including weather refugees escaping heatwaves in Europe who seek cooler climates in Norway. In July, capacity was 7% lower compared to the same month last year but 8% higher than the previous month. The cabin factor—referring to the ratio of paying passengers to allowed passenger capacity—stood at 83.5%, a 4 percentage point increase from July 2023. Meanwhile, the cabin factor for the bidding network finished at 64%, a significant rise from 57% in July 2023.

Norwegian airlines carried 2.85 million passengers in July, marking the highest number since 2019.

Routes to Lofoten and Vesterålen have emerged as particularly popular among foreign tourists, with several flights filled exclusively with international passengers. Specific routes and regions have significantly contributed to this trend, noticeably elevating overall cabin factors.

Christian Skaug, Widerøe’s commercial director, expressed satisfaction with July’s results, noting that the record-high cabin factor provides momentum as they enter August with both new and returning customers. He also acknowledged the hard work of colleagues who contributed to these successes during a demanding summer season.