Norwegian Boom

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   Travel market players that specialize in the Norwegian market said in the interview to a BANKO correspondent about the dramatic increase in air traffic volume to Norway. Charter programs are being prepared at the moment; however airlines and aircraft types are not defined yet. Thus, DSBW launches two charter programs instead of one starting from the end of July – Moscow – Bergen – Alesund (three flights) and Moscow – Bergen – Oslo (four flights). Besides, the tour operator plans Bergen – Oslo flights from Samara and Ekaterinburg. Furthermore, Neva intends to launch its own Moscow – Bergen - Alesund charter (four flights). Moreover, a Moscow – Stavanger flight is being discussed. One more consolidator – Jazz Travel – plan a Moscow – Tromso charter program by Transaero (three flights).
   Tour operators explain their ambitions by a 15 – 20% increase in demand for Norway in summer following a 30% growth in winter 2005 – 2006. Thus, Olga Filippenko, Tourism Director of Tourism Committee of the Embassy of Norway, commented the situation as follows: ‘the destination has been promoted for four years. Therefore, this year is marked with the increased popularity of Norway’.
   Meanwhile, experts point out that in spite of the increased demand, growth rate for the destination can not be considered considerable. Therefore, experts forecast excess of flights to the destination, outlining Stavanger and Tromso as the least perspective flights. We remind you that a year ago DSBW and Neva at first intended to launch two independent programs, however had to co-operate and to use one aircraft. Nevertheless, at the moment both companies exclude the repetition of the same situation: ‘we have different plans’, said Karen Goncharov, General Director of DSBW.