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Oslo airport opens new section, doubling size: report

Xinhua, April 27, 2017 Adjust font size:

The newly-opened part of Oslo Gardermoen airport in Norway that was six years in the making means the airport is twice as big as it was previously, news agency NTB reported Thursday.

The development cost 14 billion kroner (1.6 billion U.S. dollars), and added 21 new aircraft stands, 117,000 square meters of ground, and a completely new luggage facility to the revamped airport.

"This will give Norway increased competitiveness internationally. For Norway, it is important to have a well-functioning junction as Oslo airport and the surplus will contribute to financing the remaining aviation network throughout Norway," said Dag Falk-Petersen, CEO of airport operator Avinor, during the official opening on Thursday.

"Norway is dependent on a well-functioning main airport. Now we've got a big international airport that the whole nation can be proud of. This is a state-owned prestigious project that has opened on time and within budget," said Norwegian minister of transport and communications Ketil Solvik-Olsen.

Since Oslo Airport Gardermoen opened in 1998, the number of passengers has increased from 17 million to 24 million annually. After the opening of the new wing of the airport, it will now have a capacity of 32 million travelers annually, NTB wrote. (1 U.S. dollar = 8.60 Norwegian kroner) Endit