Scandinavian airline Widerøe is returning to Liverpool in 2023 to re-establish a route axed during the pandemic in 2020. Tony McDonough reports
Scandinavia’s largest regional airline Widerøe is to resume flights from Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) in 2023 after a three-year break.
Widerøe will resume twice-weekly return flights between LJLA and Bergen in Norway for summer 2023. It last operated from Liverpool in 2020 when it suspended the service due to COVID-19.
It will become the third new airline to start operations from Liverpool since the lifting of COVOD travel restrictions. Earlier this year German flag carrier Lufthansa launched a new route to Frankfurt, offering onward flights to multiple global destinations.
In the last couple of weeks, Icelandic airline PLAY has launched its new route out of Liverpool to Reykjavik. This service offers ‘seamless’ onward connections to US cities Washington, Boston and New York.
And, just a few days ago, a new survey of thousands of passengers carried out by consumer bible Which? revealed LJLA was rated joint-best UK airport, along with Exeter.
Flights between Liverpool and Bergen will again operate on Fridays and Mondays. They will be ideal for taking weekend breaks to Norway’s second largest city and the gateway to the Norwegian Fjords.
It is also expected to prove popular again with Norwegian football fans flying over to attend Liverpool, Everton, Manchester City and Manchester United matches.
Liverpool will be Widerøe’s second UK operation. The carrier’s only other UK flights currently serve London Heathrow. This route will see Norway become the 25th European country to be linked with direct connections from Liverpool.
The new service will start on March 31, 2023, using the airline’s 110 seat Embraer E190-E2 jet aircraft.
Paul Winfield, director of aviation development for LJLA, said: “Today’s announcement demonstrates the confidence airlines now have regarding the opportunities available to them at Liverpool. We are delighted to welcome Scandinavia’s largest regional airline Widerøe back to Liverpool.
“Its twice-weekly service will once again provide passengers from across the North West with a great way to visit the city of Bergen as well as access to the Fjords and the popular cruise market from there.”