Bergen Air Transport

Bergen Air Transport AS was a Norwegian regional airline and aviation-services company based at Bergen Airport, Flesland. Founded in 1998 by Geir Hellsten and Håkon Lie-Nielsen, it began operations in 1999 with small-aircraft charter flying, initially using a Cessna 421B for seaplane-related and other charter work. The company developed from this modest base into a specialized regional operator whose best-known activity was a scheduled domestic connection between Bergen and Notodden Airport, Tuven. The Bergen–Notodden service began in 2000 with a six-seat Cessna 421C. The route was designed to connect western Norway with the industrial and business community around Notodden, and the airline initially operated four weekly round trips. Strong cabin loads led it to increase the frequency to five round trips per week in 2001. The company carried approximately 1,000 passengers in its first year of scheduled operations and about 1,500 in 2001. A short-lived attempt was made during the summer of 2002 to extend the operation from Notodden to Kristiansund Airport, Kvernberget, but the service was abandoned because demand was insufficient. Bergen Air Transport also built a technical and infrastructure base around its airline operation. A hangar at Bergen Airport was completed in 2003, and the company received certification as a mechanical aviation workshop. Its fleet evolved from the Cessna 421 to a Cessna 441 Conquest II in 2004, followed by the acquisition of two Beechcraft B200 King Air aircraft in 2006. The Cessna 441 was subsequently sold. In 2007, the company added a Cessna Citation CJ2, its first jet aircraft, expanding the potential range and flexibility of its charter and business-aviation offering. The airline’s scheduled operation was affected by the condition and regulatory status of Notodden Airport. On 20 November 2003, the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority closed the airport to scheduled traffic because it did not meet required safety standards. Bergen Air Transport temporarily redirected its aircraft to Skien Airport, Geiteryggen. Scheduled flights from Notodden resumed after airport improvements supported by investment from the airline and the municipality, including additional work in 2004 and the introduction of passenger security screening. The episode illustrates the dependence of small regional airlines on local airport infrastructure and public support. During the mid-2000s, the company expanded its facilities and traffic. It acquired a new hangar at Notodden in September 2007, providing additional space and new arrival and departure facilities. That year, it recorded 3,441 passengers on 552 Bergen–Notodden flights, according to the cited historical account. Its activities comprised scheduled passenger flying, charter aviation, and aircraft maintenance rather than a broad commercial airline network. The fleet remained small, centered on two Beechcraft B200 King Air aircraft and one Cessna Citation CJ2 in the later operating period. Bergen Air Transport ended the Bergen–Notodden scheduled route in 2017 and ceased its operative services during the same year. It is distinct from an earlier airline with the same name that operated in Norway from approximately 1961 to 1977 with aircraft including the Douglas DC-3, Douglas DC-4, and de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver. The 1998 company was a separate enterprise, owned by Hellsten and Lie-Nielsen, and should not be conflated with that earlier carrier.

Bergen Air Transport was established in Norway in 1998 by Geir Hellsten and Håkon Lie-Nielsen and began operating in 1999. Its first activities were charter flights with a Cessna 421B, including seaplane-related charter work. In 2000, the aircraft was replaced by a Cessna 421C and the company entered scheduled passenger aviation with a route linking Bergen and Notodden Airport, Tuven. The aircraft accommodated six passengers, and the route initially operated four round trips per week. After demand produced high cabin loads, the schedule was increased to five weekly round trips in 2001. The airline tested a Notodden–Kristiansund service during the summer of 2002, but the experiment was discontinued because passenger demand was inadequate. In 2003, Bergen Air Transport constructed a hangar at Bergen Airport and was certified as a mechanical aviation workshop, adding maintenance capability to its flying activities. The company replaced its Cessna 421 with a Cessna 441 Conquest II in 2004. A major operational disruption occurred on 20 November 2003, when the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority prohibited scheduled traffic at Notodden Airport because of safety deficiencies. Bergen Air Transport moved its aircraft to Skien Airport, Geiteryggen, while remedial work was organized. The airline and Notodden municipality contributed to the improvements, and scheduled traffic later returned. Further investment was made at Notodden Airport from October 2004, and the airline introduced passenger security screening there. The fleet was modernized in 2006 through the purchase of two Beechcraft B200 King Air aircraft, replacing the Cessna 441 as the principal type. In September 2007, the company purchased a new Notodden hangar, creating more room for expansion and providing improved passenger facilities. It also acquired a Cessna Citation CJ2, its first jet. The 2007 operation carried 3,441 passengers on 552 Bergen–Notodden flights. In addition to scheduled regional flying, the company operated charter services and maintained an aviation workshop. Its later fleet was reported as two Beechcraft B200 King Air aircraft and one Cessna Citation CJ2. The Bergen–Notodden scheduled route ended in 2017, and the company ceased its operative services in the same year. The company is separate from an earlier Bergen Air Transport that operated approximately from 1961 to 1977.

• 2017

  Operations cease

  [1]Bergen Air Transporten.wikipedia.org

  The Bergen–Notodden scheduled service ended, and the company ceased its operative services.

• 2007

  Jet aircraft and expanded Notodden facilities

  [1]Bergen Air Transporten.wikipedia.org

  Bergen Air Transport bought a Cessna Citation CJ2 and a new hangar at Notodden with expanded passenger facilities.

• 2006

  King Air fleet introduced

  [1]Bergen Air Transporten.wikipedia.org

  The airline acquired two Beechcraft B200 King Air aircraft and sold its Cessna 441.

• 2004

  Cessna 441 introduced

  [1]Bergen Air Transporten.wikipedia.org

  The Cessna 421 was replaced by a Cessna 441 Conquest II.

• 2003

  Hangar and maintenance capability added

  [1]Bergen Air Transporten.wikipedia.org

  The company built a hangar at Bergen Airport and became certified as a mechanical aviation workshop.

• 2003

  Notodden service disrupted by airport closure

  [1]Bergen Air Transporten.wikipedia.org

  Notodden Airport was closed to scheduled traffic by the civil aviation authority over safety requirements, forcing a temporary move to Skien Airport.

• 2002

  Kristiansund route trial discontinued

  [1]Bergen Air Transporten.wikipedia.org

  A summer attempt to operate from Notodden to Kristiansund was abandoned because of insufficient passenger demand.

• 2001

  Route frequency increased

  [1]Bergen Air Transporten.wikipedia.org

  The Bergen–Notodden schedule increased from four to five weekly round trips after strong passenger loads.

• 2000

  Bergen–Notodden scheduled route launched

  [1]Bergen Air Transporten.wikipedia.org

  A Cessna 421C replaced the initial aircraft and the airline started a scheduled connection between Bergen and Notodden.

• 1999

  Operations commence

  [1]Bergen Air Transporten.wikipedia.org

  The company began operating charter services with a Cessna 421B.

• 1998

  Company founded

  [1]Bergen Air Transporten.wikipedia.org

  Geir Hellsten and Håkon Lie-Nielsen established Bergen Air Transport in Norway.

A small Norwegian regional and charter operator focused on specialized domestic connectivity, business aviation, and aviation-support services.

• Regional passenger airline service · 2000

  Bergen–Notodden scheduled service

  The company’s principal scheduled product was a domestic Norwegian connection between Bergen Airport, Flesland and Notodden Airport, Tuven. It began in 2000 with a six-seat Cessna 421C and operated several weekly round trips. The route was temporarily moved to Skien Airport after Notodden was closed to scheduled traffic for safety reasons, then returned after airport improvements and additional security arrangements.

• Charter and business aviation · 1999

  Charter aviation

  Charter flying was the company’s original operating activity. Bergen Air Transport started with a Cessna 421B and later used aircraft such as the Beechcraft King Air and Cessna Citation CJ2 for specialized passenger and business-aviation missions. The charter activity complemented the company’s limited scheduled network.

• Aircraft maintenance · 2003

  Aviation workshop

  After constructing a hangar at Bergen Airport in 2003, Bergen Air Transport was certified as a mechanical aviation workshop. This gave the company a technical-services activity alongside passenger and charter flying and formed part of its broader aviation-services model.

• Turboprop aircraft service · 2006

  Beechcraft B200 King Air operations

  Two Beechcraft B200 King Air aircraft became the core of the later fleet after their acquisition in 2006. The type supported the company’s regional, charter, and specialized aviation work. By the later operating period, the King Air aircraft were reported alongside a Cessna Citation CJ2.

• Business jet service · 2007

  Cessna Citation CJ2 operations

  Purchased in 2007, the Cessna Citation CJ2 was Bergen Air Transport’s first jet aircraft. Its addition broadened the company’s business-aviation and charter capabilities beyond the turboprop fleet and represented an expansion into jet operations.

• 2017

  End scheduled and operative servicesStrategy

  Background

  The company’s remaining scheduled route was the Bergen–Notodden service.

  Action taken

  Bergen Air Transport ended the route and ceased its operative services during 2017.

  Aftermath

  The airline became defunct as an operating carrier.

  Source

• 2007

  Expand into jet operationsProduct launch

  Background

  Bergen Air Transport was expanding its facilities and charter-oriented aviation capabilities.

  Action taken

  The company purchased a Cessna Citation CJ2, its first jet aircraft.

  Aftermath

  The fleet gained a business-jet capability while the airline continued operating its small scheduled route.

  Source

• 2006

  Modernize the operating fleet with King Air aircraftGeneration change

  Background

  The company sought more capable aircraft for its regional and charter activities.

  Action taken

  It acquired two Beechcraft B200 King Air aircraft and sold the Cessna 441.

  Aftermath

  The King Air aircraft formed the core of the later fleet.

  Source

• 2003

  Add aircraft-maintenance capabilityStrategy

  Background

  The company was developing a permanent operating base at Bergen Airport.

  Action taken

  It built a hangar and obtained certification as a mechanical aviation workshop.

  Aftermath

  Maintenance became a complementary business line alongside scheduled and charter flying.

  Source

• 2003

  Temporarily reroute scheduled operationsOther

  Background

  Notodden Airport was closed to scheduled traffic by the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority because it did not satisfy required safety standards.

  Action taken

  Bergen Air Transport moved its aircraft and scheduled operation to Skien Airport, Geiteryggen.

  Aftermath

  Service later returned to Notodden after airport improvements supported by the airline and municipality.

  Source

• 2002

  Withdraw from the Notodden–Kristiansund trialStrategy

  Background

  The company tested a summer service from Notodden to Kristiansund Airport, Kvernberget.

  Action taken

  It discontinued the trial because passenger demand was insufficient.

  Aftermath

  The airline concentrated its scheduled activity on the Bergen–Notodden connection.

  Source

• 2000

  Enter scheduled regional passenger serviceStrategy

  Background

  After beginning with charter aviation, the company identified an opportunity to connect Bergen and Notodden with a small-capacity scheduled service.

  Action taken

  Bergen Air Transport replaced its initial aircraft with a Cessna 421C and launched the Bergen–Notodden route.

  Aftermath

  The route became the company’s best-known scheduled operation and was later expanded from four to five weekly round trips.

  Source

• 2017

  Bergen–Notodden scheduled service ends[1]Bergen Air Transporten.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The company ended its scheduled Bergen–Notodden route and ceased its operative airline services during the same year.

• 2007

  Bergen Air Transport acquires a Citation CJ2 and expands Notodden facilities[1]Bergen Air Transporten.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  The airline purchased its first jet, a Cessna Citation CJ2, and obtained a new hangar at Notodden with expanded arrival and departure facilities.

• 2003

  Notodden Airport closed to scheduled traffic[1]Bergen Air Transporten.wikipedia.org

  Regulation

  The Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority closed Notodden Airport to scheduled traffic because required safety standards were not met. Bergen Air Transport redirected its scheduled operation to Skien Airport while improvements were made.

1. 1Bergen Air Transporten.wikipedia.org