One year after achieving a historic milestone as the first Dreamliner to land on Antarctica’s distinctive blue ice runway at Troll Airfield, Norse Atlantic Airways has successfully conducted its second charter aimed at facilitating scientific research on the continent.
On November 15, 2024, at 10:55 local time, Norse Atlantic’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner, registered as LN-FNC and designated “Everglades,” successfully landed, transporting 10.5 tons of research equipment and scientists from the Norwegian Polar Institute and Aircontact.
The flight followed a route from Oslo to Cape Town, then to Troll Airfield, before returning to Cape Town and finally back to Oslo, mirroring the airline’s historic inaugural landing from the previous year, which also included a stop in Cape Town, South Africa, prior to the final leg to Antarctica.
Norse Atlantic plans to complete a total of four charters to Antarctica, all dedicated to supporting scientific research. This achievement underscores the airline’s growing reputation for operational excellence, highlighted by the proficiency of its highly trained pilots and crew, as well as its advanced Boeing aircraft.
The Dreamliner, specifically designed for long-haul journeys, is celebrated for its exceptional fuel efficiency, allowing it to undertake a round trip from Cape Town to Antarctica without the need for refueling, thus providing both economic and ecological advantages. Its spacious cargo compartment facilitated the safe transportation of substantial amounts of research equipment essential for operations at isolated scientific research stations.
“Returning to Antarctica with our Dreamliner underscores Norse Atlantic’s capability to manage intricate logistical challenges. We take pride in showcasing the performance and efficiency of our aircraft, as well as the operational excellence of the Norse Atlantic charter team, which encompasses thorough planning and precise execution, affirming our position as a reliable partner for missions to even the most remote locations,” stated Mette Birkedahl, Director of Charter and ACMI at Norse Atlantic Airways.
Successfully landing such a substantial aircraft for the second time represents a significant achievement for us in Antarctica. This development paves the way for enhanced logistical capabilities at Troll, enabling us to transport a greater volume of cargo and an increased number of passengers on the same flight. This advancement will also contribute to the fortification of Norwegian research efforts in Antarctica, states John Guldahl, Director of Operations and Logistics at the Norwegian Polar Institute.
Daniel Carey, an Air Broker and Spokesperson for Aircontact, one of the oldest air brokerage firms in the world, emphasized the Drealiner’s capabilities and the necessity of engaging civil aviation authorities to ensure operational quality and safety, as well as obtaining their approval prior to the mission.
“The inclusion of Norse Atlantic Airways with the B787-900 as a key asset for operations to Troll in support of the Norwegian Polar Institute is invaluable. It eliminates the need for refueling and enhances cargo capacity, which the B787-900 offers. Furthermore, having Norse as a Norwegian operator under the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority provides an additional significant advantage.”
