P.O. Box 243
NO-8001Bodø
Change of coordination status for Svalbard Airport, Longyear (LYR)
On 3 June 2022, the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway changed the coordination status for Svalbard Airport, Longyear (LYR), from facilitated Level 2 to coordinated airport, Level 3.
There has been a large increase in requests from airlines wishing to fly to and from Svalbard Airport, Longyear, in addition to the already registered flights for the summer season. This increase is largely driven by an increasing number of cruise ship calls in Longyearbyen harbor. The volume of traffic outlined for the coming season will entail a large load at the airport, especially related to terminal capacity and adjacent infrastructure.
By changing the coordination status for Svalbard Airport, Longyear from facilitated Level 2 to coordinated Airport Level 3, one will go from a regime where flight times to airlines is a recommendation only, to a regime where allocation of time slots for departures and landings are mandatory and to be followed. This allocation of slots is carried out by the national slot coordinator Airport Coordination Norway, as it is for several Norwegian airports in Norway. When allocating slots, flight times can be better adapted in relation to the factors that limit available capacity.
In accordance with local rules for the allocation of slots at Svalbard Airport, Longyear, the airport follows the Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines (WASG) as a basis for current facilitation. WASG is based on the principles of transparency, flexibility, predictability, consistency and sustainability. These principles will also form the basis for further allocation of slots at Svalbard Airport's status as a coordinated airport.
Change of coordination status for Svalbard Airport, Longyear (LYR) enters into force on 3 June 2022 and applies without time limit.