Norway has approved a $719 million-worth development project for a new airport in Bodø, which is supposed to be launched and replace the existing old Bodø Airport (BOO) in 2029. 

The total cost of the new project currently stands at approximately $719 million (NOK 7.2 billion) at 2022 prices, $260 million (NOK 2.6 billion) out of which will be allocated by the Norwegian state-owned civil airport operator Avinor, while the remaining part of the financing will come from the local government and local funds, according to the Avinor statement released on December 7, 2022. 

Avinor, the municipality of Bodø, and the Norwegian Armed Forces are involved in the construction process. 

The new Bodø Airport is expected to be located around 900 meters to the south of the presently active BOO airport. The new facility is scheduled to be officially launched between 2029 and 2030. 

“We are pleased to make this decision following a lengthy process that has involved the Norwegian Armed Forces and the municipality of Bodø,” Avinor chief executive Abraham Foss was cited as saying in the statement. “We are going to build a new airport, and the urban development project will have a major impact on the entire region.” 

In addition to the new airport, the government also plans to build a new smart city district on the site of the current airport.  

Originally planned to be launched in 1951, Bodø’s original airport did not become fully operational until 1956. The current civilian terminal was launched in 1990. The terminal now features 11 gates and three jetways. The airport will remain operational until the day before the new airport opens for operations. 

Bodø Air Base, adjacent to the airport, was until recently hosting a Royal Norwegian Air Force Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) squadron flying F-16 fighters but was closed on January 6, 2022.