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Celebrating Widerøe’s 90-Year Journey: From Seaplanes to Regional Aviation Leader
Widerøe: A Legacy Since 1934
Founded on February 19, 1934, by Viggo Widerøe and four enthusiastic friends, Widerøe's Flyveselskap AS began its journey at Ingierstrand, outside Oslo. Initially, the company provided air taxi, ambulance, school transport services, and aerial photo flights. These humble beginnings laid the foundation for what would become a cornerstone of Norwegian aviation.
The Growth of Widerøe in the 1950s
During the 1950s, Widerøe's activities increased substantially. The company’s seaplane routes in Northern Norway and maintenance operations at Fornebu were the main drivers of income. However, when the government decided to establish smaller airports in the regions, the seaplane activities were replaced by short field routes. This transition marked a new era for Widerøe, beginning with the opening of the first four airports between Bodø and Trondheim in 1968.
Aviationtag X Widerøe Alle
Establishing a Leading Role in Regional Transport
In 1970, Widerøe reorganized with the ambition to lead the development of the regional route system. Over the years, the company has grown into one of Norway's major regional transport providers. Today, Widerøe operates over 400 daily departures to 43 domestic and 3 international destinations, serving more than 2 million passengers annually.
With a workforce of 3,500 dedicated employees, Widerøe is the oldest Norwegian aviation group. The group includes several subsidiaries: Widerøe's Flyveselskap AS, Widerøe Ground Handling AS, Widerøe Technical Services AS, Widerøe Zero AS, Widerøe Property AS, and Widerøe Asset AS. As a subsidiary within the Norwegian Group, Widerøe continues to play a vital role in Norway's transportation infrastructure.
In July 2022, Widerøe and Norwegian Air Shuttle announced a closer collaboration, including an interlining agreement for seamless travel across their networks. On July 6, 2023, Norwegian acquired Widerøe, emphasizing that Widerøe would maintain its separate branding, organization, and headquarters in Bodø. The Norwegian Competition Authority approved the acquisition in December 2023, following an investigation into potential market dominance concerns.
Widerøe's flights are essential for public transportation in rural Norway, supporting businesses, healthcare, education, tourism, and culture. For over 90 years, Widerøe has enabled people to live and thrive along Norway’s extensive coastline. This mission remains central to the company's identity, and Widerøe is committed to continuing this legacy for another 90 years.
THE MAKING OF VIDEO
A Diverse and Dedicated Fleet
Widerøe's Flyveselskap operates flights to 49 destinations in Norway and Europe, using a fleet of 48 aircraft, including 45 De Havilland Dash 8 turboprops and 3 Embraer E2 jets. The unique short-haul network in Norway is crucial to Widerøe's operations, serving both commercial routes and routes under contract with the Ministry of Transport. Additionally, Widerøe Ground Handling offers services at 41 airports, while Widerøe Technical Services provides aircraft maintenance at five locations throughout Norway.
Aviationtag X Widerøe
To celebrate Widerøe's remarkable 90-year journey, we are proud to introduce a special edition of Aviationtags, upcycled from the De Havilland Canada DHC-8-300 "Dash 8" with the registration LN-WFP.
Delivered to Widerøe in May 1998 and retired in June 2023, this aircraft has been transformed into exclusive Aviationtags, available in four colors. Each tag is a tribute to Widerøe's history and commitment to sustainability.
Share your thoughts about this collaboration in the comments below and let’s celebrate this incredible journey together!
Happy Anniversary Widerøe and cheers to the next 90 years!
