Environmental impact assessment of potential locations for a third runway

Avinor has been tasked by the Ministry of Transport with carrying out an environmental impact assessment. The assessment will help provide an up-to-date, evidence-based foundation for a government decision on where a possible third runway at Oslo Airport, Gardermoen, could be located. It is important to emphasise that no decision has been made to build a third runway.

The assessment will examine relevant and realistic location options so that the authorities, municipalities, residents and others affected have the best possible information available. The work will be carried out in accordance with the Regulations on Environmental Impact Assessments, with Avinor as the project proponent and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development as the responsible authority.

What will be assessed?

The assessment will describe the potential impacts of different location options. Topics will include noise, the environment, land use, local communities, business development, ground conditions and other relevant effects on society. It will also help clarify how a possible future runway could affect municipal planning and long-term land use around the airport.

Why is this being done now?

The question of a possible third runway has remained unresolved for a long time. The government has not decided whether to build one, and any decision to do so lies far in the future. At the same time, greater certainty about its possible location would help municipalities, residents, landowners and businesses plan for the long term.

The government-appointed expert committee that submitted its report in 2024 assessed that any need for a third runway would most likely arise no earlier than the 2040s. Before any decision to build can be made, a concept study, external quality assurance, and the necessary planning and licensing procedures must be completed.

Dialogue and public participation

Opportunities for participation and public consultation are a central part of the work. Avinor will facilitate dialogue with affected municipalities, regional and national authorities, residents, landowners, businesses and other affected parties. Information on how to submit comments will be provided when the proposed assessment programme and, later, the assessment documents are published for consultation.

What happens next?

The first step is to prepare a proposed assessment programme. It will describe which options and topics are to be assessed, how the work will be carried out, and how affected parties can participate. Once the programme has been through public consultation and has been adopted, the environmental impact assessment itself will be carried out.