Why a new airport?

Modern industrial building in metal and glass with perforated façades under a clear sky. Sketches showing what the airport might look like, created by LPO architects. — This is how the new airport could look. Illustration: LPO architects

On this page, you will find facts and history about the new airport in Mo i Rana.

Avinor has been commissioned by the Ministry of Transport to take responsibility for building a new airport in Mo i Rana. The airport will provide an improved and strengthened transport offering for the entire Helgeland and create a boost for the region's business sector.

Throughout the entire development period, Avinor will work with both Rana municipality, Polarsirkelen lufthavnutvikling AS (PLU), the local community, and contractors to develop an efficient, modern, and future-oriented airport.

The new airport in Mo i Rana will mean a lot for industry, tourism, and residential appeal. The new Mo i Rana airport Fagerlia will replace the airport at Røssvoll, ten kilometers outside of Mo i Rana.

History and Background

In 2014, Avinor was commissioned by the Ministry of Transport to develop a preliminary project with an accompanying concession application.The preliminary project was completed in 2015. In 2020, the Ministry of Transport assigned Avinor to take over the further process of building the airport. This included negotiating a local financing agreement, updating its preliminary project from 2015, and assessing relevant parts of Polarsirkelen Airport Development AS (PLU) preparations, including tender documentation and the tendering process conducted. The project has undergone an external quality assurance (KS2) within the framework for quality assurance of large state investment projects. On June 23, 2022, ESA approved that Avinor could finance the new airport with support from the state and Rana municipality. Consequently, Avinor was able to award the first contracts for the construction of the new airport. Construction began on September 6, 2022, with PK Strøm awarded the contract for the construction roads, while Tore Løkke holds the contract for the conduit system. Both contracts are expected to be completed after the summer of 2023. Avinor and AF Gruppen signed a collaborative contract for the main enterprise on the 15th.September 2022. In June 2023, the final contract for the actual construction of the new Mo i Rana airport was signed. The contract is valued at 3.2 billion. Financing In the Revised National Budget 2023, the project's cost framework was approved with a management framework (P50) of 4,582 million kroner and a cost framework (P85) of 4,890 million kroner. The municipality contributes 450 million, while local businesses and private donors contribute 150 million kroner. In addition, the municipality has contributed 66 million kroner in a joint effort with the state to secure a 2,400-meter runway instead of the originally projected 2,200 meters. This is what the airport will be like Avinor aims to plan, build, and operate a new future-oriented and environmentally adapted airport in accordance with current and future environmental requirements and standards. Our goal is for the Helgeland community to be proud of their new airport. The new airport will include a parking area with a capacity for approximately 450 cars.