Jazmin Li
Oslo Airport (OSL) is Norway's biggest airport, located 35km north-northeast of Oslo city centre. The airport has been undergoing expansion since 2017 to accommodate more international routes to and from non-Schengen countries. The Schengen area at Oslo Airport lies at the end of the international terminal, accessible via passport control booths. The Schengen area is a zone comprising 26 European states that have abolished passport and other border controls at their mutual borders.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Oslo Airport in the Schengen area? | No, but it does operate flights to and from the Schengen area. |
| What is the Schengen area? | A zone comprising 26 European states that have officially abolished passport and all other types of border control at their mutual borders. |
| What do I need to enter and leave the Schengen area? | A valid passport and visa. |
| Is all of Norway in the Schengen area? | No, Svalbard is part of Norway but outside the Schengen area. |
| Is Oslo Airport an international airport? | Yes, it is Norway's biggest airport and a hub for Scandinavian Airlines. |
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What You'll Learn
Oslo Airport is Norway's biggest airport
Oslo Airport, also known as Oslo Gardermoen Airport or simply Gardermoen, is Norway's biggest and busiest airport. Located 35 km (22 mi) northeast of Oslo, it serves as a hub for Scandinavian Airlines and a base for Norwegian Air Shuttle and Widerøe. The airport covers 13 sq km (5 sq mi) and features two parallel runways and a single terminal with 72 gates. It is known for being a "silent airport", with flight announcements only being made in the immediate vicinity of the gate.
The history of aviation in Oslo dates back to 1912, with the opening of Kjeller Airport and Gressholmen Airport, which served seaplanes. However, the first proper airport facilities in Oslo were built by the Luftwaffe during the Nazi occupation of Norway in World War II. This airport, located at Fornebu, opened in 1939 and was gradually expanded over the years. By the 1970s, it became clear that this airport would not be able to meet future demands due to its limited expansion capabilities. As a result, in 1985, all international traffic was moved to Gardermoen, which had been proposed as Oslo's main airport as early as 1946.
The construction of Oslo Airport was undertaken by an independent limited company, Oslo Lufthavn, wholly owned by the Civil Airport Administration (Avinor). It opened in 1998, replacing the airport at Fornebu. The airport is notable for its high percentage of passengers using public transport, with nearly 70% of passengers opting for this option. It is connected to the city centre by the high-speed Gardermoen Line, which is served by mainline trains and the Flytoget.
As for its place in the Schengen area, Oslo Airport does have gates for both Schengen and non-Schengen area flights. The E-gates are for flights within the Schengen area, while the F-gates are for non-Schengen destinations. Norway is indeed part of the Schengen area, which comprises 29 European countries, including most of the countries in the European Union, as well as some non-EU countries.
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The Schengen area at Oslo Airport is accessed via passport control booths
Norway is part of the European Schengen area, a zone comprising 26 European states that have officially abolished passport and all other types of border control at their mutual borders. Oslo Airport, Norway's biggest airport, is located 19 nautical miles north-northeast of Oslo city centre. The airport has been attracting more and more international routes to and from non-Schengen countries.
In 2024, the airport started using the south pier for early morning international Schengen area flights. The airport has also been undergoing extensions to increase space for non-Schengen flights, with a higher level of security in this area than the rest of the airport.
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Oslo Airport's gate numbers indicate the terminal zone
At Oslo Airport, gate numbers indicate the terminal zone. The airport has a single terminal with two piers on a single line. Starting on 1 March, all passenger gates were assigned letters, from A to F, in addition to numbers. Gates A, B, and C are used for domestic departures, while gates D, E, and F are used for international departures. Specifically, gates D and E are for Schengen departures, and gate F is for non-Schengen departures. The south pier, constructed in 2012, is used for early morning international Schengen area flights.
When transferring between flights, passengers should follow the "Connecting Flights" signs to reach the departure gate area. If transferring between two flights within Norway, passengers will proceed directly to the departure gate area of domestic flights. Their luggage will be transferred automatically, and the process will take between 5 and 15 minutes.
When transferring from an international flight outside the Schengen area to a connecting flight within the Schengen area, passengers will go through passport control. Their luggage will be transferred automatically, and the transfer will typically take between 15 and 35 minutes. It is important to note that when entering and leaving the Schengen area, individuals must present their passports.
If arriving in Oslo with an airline other than SAS, Norwegian, Widere, Emirates, or Atlantic Airways, passengers must collect their luggage, exit the transit area, and check in again. This process usually takes between 35 and 50 minutes. However, if the connection is purchased as a single booking, passengers can remain in the transit area without needing to collect their luggage.
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Oslo Airport has a Royal Norwegian Air Force base
Oslo Airport, also known as Oslo Gardermoen Airport, is an international airport serving Oslo, the capital of Norway. The airport is located 19 nautical miles (35 km; 22 mi) north-northeast of Oslo, covering an area of 13 square kilometres (5.0 sq mi). It has two parallel runways and a single terminal with two piers on a single line.
The history of the airport's association with the military dates back to 1912 when the first flight occurred at Gardermoen. During World War II, the airport was taken over by the Norwegian Air Force and became the main air station, housing three fighter and one transport squadron. After the war, in 1946, it served as a reserve airport for Oslo Airport, Fornebu, and accommodated all intercontinental traffic until 1952. During the Nazi occupation of Norway, the Luftwaffe took control of Gardermoen and constructed the first proper airport facilities, including hangars and two crossing runways.
The Royal Norwegian Air Force was officially established by a royal decree on 1 November 1944, merging the Army and Navy air forces. The Norwegian air and ground crews fought alongside the British Royal Air Force during World War II, operating as part of wholly Norwegian squadrons such as RAF No. 331 (Norwegian) Squadron and RAF No. 332 (Norwegian) Squadron. The Royal Norwegian Air Force has participated in various NATO operations, including the bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999 and the Baltic Air Policing operation in 2004.
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Oslo Airport is 19 nautical miles from Oslo city centre
Norway is part of the Schengen Area, a zone comprising 26 European states that have officially abolished passport and all other types of border control at their mutual borders. Oslo Airport, also known as Oslo Gardermoen Airport, is located 19 nautical miles (35 km or 22 miles) north-northeast of Oslo city centre. It is the biggest airport in Norway, serving as a hub for Scandinavian Airlines and an operating base for Norwegian Air Shuttle and Widerøe. The airport covers an area of 13 square kilometres (5.0 sq mi) and has two parallel runways and a single terminal with two piers on a single line.
The airport's gate numbers are marked with a letter and a number, with the letter indicating the zone of the terminal. The domestic area includes gates A-C, while the international terminal is split between routes within the Schengen area (gates D & E) and outside the Schengen area (gate F). To reach the non-Schengen area, passengers need to pass through passport control. The Schengen area lies at the end of the international terminal, which can also be accessed via passport control booths.
Oslo Airport has been undergoing various expansion projects to increase its capacity for both domestic and international flights, including the construction of a new pier in 2018 and the revamp of its gate numbers in 2017. The airport is located on a peninsula about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from the city centre, which has posed challenges for expansion to meet future demands. Despite these limitations, the airport continues to grow and attract more international routes to and from non-Schengen countries.
It is important to note that while Norway is part of the Schengen Area, Svalbard, an area belonging to Norway, is outside of it. When entering and exiting the Schengen Area, individuals must show their passports, and visa requirements should be carefully considered when travelling between Schengen and non-Schengen areas.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Oslo Airport has a Schengen area at the end of the international terminal, which is accessed via passport control booths.
The European Schengen area is a zone comprising 26 European states that have officially abolished passport and all other types of border control at their mutual borders.
The IATA code for Oslo Airport is OSL, and the ICAO code is ENGM.
Oslo Airport is Norway's biggest and busiest airport.
Oslo Airport's international terminal is split between routes within the Schengen area (gates D & E) and outside the Schengen area (gate F). The non-Schengen area is restricted for passengers travelling outside the Schengen zone, and the security demands are higher than for the rest of the airport.
