Oslo to Open New Airport

The latest new international airport, after Hong Kong and Malaysia this summer, will open Oct. 8 in Oslo--or more precisely, about 29 miles north of Oslo. Like Hong Kong’s Chek Lap Kok, the new Gardermoen airport replaces an existing one in Norway’s capital, and flights will be switched overnight on Oct. 7.

Hoping to avoid the computer bugs and other breakdowns that made Chek Lap Kok’s opening a fiasco, the Norwegians have been “test-driving” Gardermoen, site of a previous military airport, with charter flights since July. So far, problems, such as slow baggage handling, have been minor, they insist. However, a new high-speed rail tunnel, designed to help whisk passengers into downtown in just 19 minutes, isn’t ready yet. Instead, train travelers will use existing track, and the trip will take 35 minutes. The fare will be about $10.

The new airport is farther out than Fornebu, the old one, which is only about six miles west of Oslo. But Gardermoen is also larger, open 24 hours a day and, at $1.6 billion, more elaborate, with more facilities. Road travelers face a longer, more expensive trip into town. Contact the Scandinavian Tourist Board, telephone (212) 949-2333.