Trondheim Airport Værnes expands - increasing capacity and becoming greener

Avinor has selected Nordic Office of Architecture, COWI, and Norconsult to develop and modernize Trondheim Airport Værnes. The goal is to make the airport more efficient, safer, flexible, and green.


“We are very pleased to start a new sketch project and to have a good advisory team on board,” says Airport Director Marit H. Stigen. “It will be both exciting and challenging to work on such a large construction project, while maintaining a strong focus on costs both in operation and in the project. However, this project is necessary for us to fulfill our societal mission – by delivering safe and efficient services to residents and businesses in our region. It is important to emphasize that this project cannot be realized until we have overcome the crisis facing aviation and Avinor, but then we will be ready.”

The advisory trio Nordic Office of Architecture, COWI, and Norconsult have been tasked with developing an improved terminal solution for Trondheim Airport Værnes. The project will be carried out with the assistance of an external project manager, Avinor’s own project resources, and local expertise.

More Efficient and Flexible Airport

The modernization project aims to improve capacity, ensure good passenger flow, and streamline the operation of the airport and its many functions. The baggage system will be modernized and expanded, a new goods reception area will be built, and a better commercial service offering will be facilitated.

“We look forward to tackling this task together with Avinor. Here we know that long-term thinking is in place, and we look forward to finding the best solutions for the future together. Modernization will benefit the people and businesses of Trondheim and the region,” says Bjørn Olav Susæg, Project Manager for the advisory group, Architect, and Partner at Nordic.

Focus on Environmental and Energy-Efficient Solutions

For the new airport in Trondheim, the ambition is to minimize the climate footprint. By focusing strongly on environmentally friendly solutions, the project will require improved waste management and increase the recycling and reuse rate of existing buildings, demolition, and surplus materials. Green procurement will also be used to help reduce CO₂ emissions by 40% in line with the requirements of the Paris Agreement.

“Avinor is a builder with great environmental ambitions. They always set high environmental standards and ensure that all environmental aspects of the airport are high on the agenda,” says Frode Fjeldstad, Project Manager at COWI, who will be responsible for energy and environmental solutions.

Solid Airport Expertise

“Our team has good experience in collaborating on large construction projects, including the new terminal at Oslo Airport and Bergen Airport Flesland. We find that our interdisciplinary collaboration creates synergies related to holistic, efficient, and sustainable solutions, which will provide great added value for Avinor,” says Gisle H. Fagerlid, Market Coordinator for airports at Norconsult.

Contact Information:

Gurli Høeg Ulverud, Head of Communications/Department Head of Communication and Community Relations, AVINOR, ghu@avinor.no, +47 40213811

Bjørn Olav Susæg, Project Manager for the Advisory Group, Architect and Partner at Nordic, bos@nordicarch.com, +47 93420697