Climate concerns aside: another new study shows that Norwegians fly more than most other Europeans. Prime Minister Erna Solberg, meanwhile, has also said that she feels no flyskam (shame over flying), arguing that Norway’s geography often makes flying necessary.
“I don’t feel bad about flying,” Solberg told state broadcaster NRK just before the summer holidays began. “We have long distances within our country, and we need to fly.” She also said that since Norway has long, dark winters, Norwegians also feel a need to head to warmer climes – not least when summer weather can be as dismal as winter.
The European Union’s statistics bureau Eurostat, meanwhile, has released figures showing how Norwegians are far more apt to fly than to drive. Europeans drive to two-thirds of their destinations that involve an overnight stay, while airline flights account for 17 percent. Norwegians drive to just 47 percent of their overnight destinations, and fly on 40 percent of such trips. That’s more than twice the amount of flying by other Europeans.
Only four countries had higher numbers of flights linked to overnight stays, including the island nations of Malta (63 percent), Cyprus (49 percent), Ireland (43 percent) and Luxembourg (42 percent).
Norwegians were also least likely to travel by train to reach overnight destinations. Train travel tied to overnight stays accounted for just 5 percent of such trips, compared to 11 percent in Europe on average.
newsinenglish.no staff
