Lofoten Council seeks better flight access for residents

The Lofoten Council, representing six municipalities in the Lofoten region, has submitted a consultation response regarding state-subsidized flight routes (FOT routes). The council argues that increasing tourist traffic must not compromise the ability of local residents to make necessary journeys.

Currently, residents face long waiting lists, sometimes spanning weeks or months. To address this, the council is requesting increased capacity and more frequent departures at times that serve local residents and businesses. They noted that available seats during off-peak hours do not compensate for full flights during essential travel times.

Regarding costs, the council opposes further price increases beyond those already scheduled for 2027. While they are open to discussing resident discounts, they emphasize that such measures must be paired with increased capacity. The council suggests that tourist demand should fund profitable extra flights, while the publicly funded service ensures a reliable and affordable baseline for locals.