Arctic Air

Arctic Air AS was a Norwegian airline which operated between 1996 and 2003. From 2000 to 2003 it built up a network of scheduled services, in part based on public service obligation (PSO) contracts, flying with two Dornier 228. The company was based in Alta. Initially Arctic Air operated two Cessna 206 seaplanes, mostly in Kautokeino. After unexpectedly winning the 2000 to 2003 PSO tender to link Kirkenes to Vardø, the airline leased its first Dornier 228. A year later services were also introduced to Alta, Lakselv as was an international route to Murmansk. From 2002 the airline won a PSO contract to link Fagernes to Oslo. After losing both contracts in the 2003 tender, the company was liquidated. History Arctic Air was established by eleven businessmen in Kautokeino. It registered its two first aircraft, both Cessna 206s, in May 1996. The company began flying general aviation charter missions, with reindeer husbandry and the power company Statkraft as major customers. Operations were summer-only, and based out of various lakes in the municipality. In 1999 the airline chose to bid for public service obligation contracts with the Ministry of Transport and Communications, bidding for the routes from Tromsø to Sørkjosen, from Tromsø to Hasvik and Hammerfest, as well as from Kirkenes to Vardø. The latter route was won in September, after Arctic Air had bid 37 million kroner for the route. The incumbent, Widerøe, had bid 102 million. The contract, effective 1 April 2000 through 31 March 2003, was awarded in September. At the time the airline lacked suitable aircraft to operate the routes. Arctic Air was met with local opposition. While flown by Widerøe, Vardø Airport, Svartnes had been connected to a network westwards as well as to Kirkenes Airport, Høybuktmoen. With Arctic Air operating, only a feeder service would be provided. By December the population was generally satisfied with the thrice-daily service, and patronage had increased by fifteen percent since they had taken over.