New flights to Norway aimed at tourists and football fans

Scandinavia’s largest regional airline Widerøe is to start operating a twice weekly service between Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) and Bergen in Norway.

The new service will start on August 17 with departures on Mondays and Fridays with connections available in Bergen to other Scandinavian cities including Oslo and Helsinki.

Timings will appeal to Norwegian Liverpool fans – Bergen is reported to have the second highest number of LFC fans in Norway.

Scandinavians also regularly travel to the North West to attend Everton, Manchester City and Manchester United matches.

Widerøe will use their 114-seat Embraer E190-E2 jet aircraft on the route, which will be the first time this new generation jet aircraft will have operated to a UK regional airport.

Bergen is Norway’s second largest city and also the gateway to the Fjords, with this new direct service giving passengers across the North West the opportunity to either visit this popular city or the region’s beautiful fjordal area.

Fares start from £69 one way (including taxes) and are bookable on the wideroe.no website.

John Irving, LJLA chief executive, said: “We are naturally delighted to see Scandinavia’s largest regional airline Widerøe choose to operate a new scheduled service between Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Bergen.

“The new twice weekly service will provide passengers from across the North of England with a great way to visit the city of Bergen, as well as access to the Fjords and the popular cruise market from there.

“It will also allow passengers from across Norway to visit Liverpool and the wider North West using the region’s faster, easier and friendlier airport.”

Christian Skaug, commercial director for Widerøe, said: “We are excited to bring travelers in both directions and to present the magnificent fjords of the western region of Norway.

“Potentially as a stopover to the rough far north with Midnight Sun and Northern Lights, Bergen offers a stunning diversity from cultural and historic experiences to an impressive scenery.

“In addition Widerøe, in corporation with Finnair, provides a fast and efficient gateway to the Far East through through the Helsinki route.”

Low cost carrier Norwegian Airlines launched a route from Copenhagen to Liverpool in April 2013, but axed the link a year later.