NORWAY. Oslo Airport has opened seven new shops and restaurants this week ahead of the hub’s official opening ceremony next month following a major redevelopment programme.
New food and beverage arrivals at the hub’s northern pier include casual dining establishments Jamie’s Italian, Bølgen & Moi and TGI Fridays, as well as sandwich chain Northland.
Consumer electronics specialist Elkjøp Travel and two new Tanum book shops have also entered the mix this week.
The openings are part of a NOK14 billion (US$1.66 billion) development programme at the airport, which will increase capacity to 28 million passengers a year. A grand unveiling event will take place on 27 April, to be attended by Norway’s King Harald V and Queen Sonja.
“We are very excited to finally be able to open all of these great restaurants”
Oslo plans to open additional shops and restaurants in the build-up to next month’s opening ceremony.
“We are very excited to finally be able to open all of these great restaurants,” said Oslo Airport Managing Director Øyvind Hasaas.
“We want to be one of the best in Europe when it comes to food and shopping, and these new openings help make sure we get there. I am convinced that Jamie’s Italian, Bølgen & Moi Food Garage, Northland and TGI Fridays all help us one step closer.”
About the restaurants and shops
Jamie’s Italian serves traditional and modern cuisine from across Italy. The outlet is located in the international area, up one floor, straight past the duty-free shop.
The arrival comes after sister brand Jamie’s Deli opened at Oslo in November.
Bølgen & Moi is situated between security and the duty free shop, serving what Oslo Airport describes as “unexpected, delightful food moments”. Signature dishes include Mamma Moi’s kompe (swede dumpling) with salted lamb, and Trond Moi’s classic fish soup.
TGI Fridays has opened upstairs and offers authentic American food and drinks, as it does at its 900+ restaurants worldwide.
Northland – which serves white and wholemeal sourdough baguettes with their own special pesto, aioli or spreads – has opened within the old part of the airport’s international area. It is the chain’s second restaurant at Oslo Airport and before opening their latest outlet they tested over 250 different types of bread to ensure a quality menu.
Elkjøp Travel has opened its first shop at the airport but has plans to add an additional outlet this summer. The consumer electronics chain, which is part of the UK-based Dixons Carphone Group, sells brands such as Beats, Bose, Apple, Canon, Fitbit and GoPro.
Tanum has opened two stores at Oslo Airport, meaning there are now five of the company’s outlets at Oslo Airport. The company promises customers to “take care of the need for a good read before your flight”.
Extending the commercial offer
Travel Retail Norway unveiled its Heinemann Duty Free Arrivals shop at Oslo Airport last year. It is the largest duty free Arrivals shop in the world and Norway’s biggest duty free shop of any kind.
As reported, a range of standalone fashion, jewellery and accessories retailers have also opened as part of the redevelopment programme, including Thune and Travel Value Fashion. New F&B outlets at the airport include the Norgesglasset bar and BIT, which offers salads, sandwiches and pastries.
Hasaas added: “A fair amount of construction still remains before everything is open, but we thank all passengers for their patience and promise we will do whatever we can to open as soon as possible.”
