Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL)
History, Facts and Overview
(Oslo, Norway)
Norway's Gardermoen region has been used by local army forces for almost 300 years and this site naturally became an airfield in 1920, complete with a number of large hangars. After considerable bombing during WWII, Oslo Airport was rebuilt, bigger and better, and comprised two separate 2,000-metre / 6,560-foot runways. As this stage, intercontinental flights commenced, although the nearby Fornebu Airport was considered to be Oslo's premier airport.
The whole future of Gardermoen Airport changed in the 1980s, when due to lack of space, a replacement to succeed Fornebu Airport became a necessity. In 1992, local government confirmed that Gardermoen Airport would be transformed at a cost of more than NOK11 billion, opening six years later in 1998. Now the official Oslo Airport (OSL), the grounds were connected to the city with a high-speed train line, running at ten minute intervals.
Passenger facilities at Oslo Airport's terminal are excellent, with a range of financial amenities, post office and area to leave your luggage securely. Other services include a tourist information desk, a hotel reservation kiosk and a comprehensive selection of shops, including the biggest duty-free outlet in the whole of Europe. For fashion and accessories, the Airport Retail Norway outlet and Euroshop Shirts are worth a look, while for general shopping, pay a visit to the Point Kiosk or the Travel Value store, which is located within the domestic departures area.
Popular places to eat at Oslo Airport include the Caffé Ritazza, the Christiania Bar, Sinnataggen and the Norwegian Aquavit Bar. For a proper sit-down meal, both the Kon-Tiki and Monolitten are on-hand to meet your needs, serving a variety of worldly dishes.
Business facilities for the corporate traveller at Oslo Airport feature a range of services, such as photocopying and faxing, along with Wi-Fi Internet access. Also worth noting, the Radisson SAS Airport Hotel Oslo Gardermoen is situated onsite and offers a large conference centre, with state-of-the-art communications equipment.
