Located at Earth's most northern point, this airport's runway is succumbing to heat.
The far-off Arctic territories are quickly becoming some of the planet's hot spots, as geopolitical tension simmers between nations like the United States, Russia, and China, eyeing the potential of sea lanes along Siberia's northern coast. But it's not all about power struggles; tourists have also caught wind of the Arctic's allure, flocking to destinations encircling the Arctic Circle for a taste of Earth's last great frontiers.
A Swedish startup, OceanSky Cruises, even intends to offer luxury airship voyages to the North Pole, even though no launch date has been announced. While embarking on the North Pole might remain a dream for now, some airlines can take travelers perilously close to the frozen top.
Svalbard Airport, nestled on Norway's remote Svalbard archipelago, is the world's most northerly airport with scheduled commercial flights. Two airlines, SAS and Norwegian, operate regular year-round service between the airport in Longyearbyen and the Norwegian mainland, a phenomenal 800 kilometers (500 miles) to the south. The airport welcomes a steady stream of charter flights and private jets, captivated by its unique polar position.
The Necessary Link to a Precarious Region
The Arctic is among the world's most environmentally delicate areas, and the team at Svalbard Airport has already experienced the harsh effects of climate change firsthand. When Longyearbyen's runway, completed in the early 1970s, was originally constructed, no one anticipated that the permafrost beneath it would begin to thaw. However, that's exactly what's happening now. Permafrost, soil that's remained frozen for at least two years, is melting, causing instability and subsidence which threatens buildings, infrastructure, and increases the risk of avalanches and landslides.
The runway plays a vital role for Svalbard's 2,500 residents, who would depend on ships for most of their essential supplies if the runway were to close. The airport always maintains extra staff and materials in case of emergencies, ensuring they can repair problems immediately without external assistance.
Turning Away from Coal
Despite its isolated location, Svalbard boasts substantial coal deposits in easy-to-reach ice-free fjords, making it ideal for mining. Under the Svalbard Treaty of 1920, signed by countries such as the US, Japan, and multiple EU member states, Norway has sovereignty over the islands but other signatory countries have the right to develop economic activities on the archipelago. As a result, Norway, Sweden, and the Soviet Union (later Russia) established mining operations in the area during the first half of the 20th century.
Over the last decade, Norwegian-operated mines have been scaling back production, with Sveagruva, one of the largest and most productive mines on Svalbard, shutting down in 2020. A Russian-operated coal mine in Barentsburg, Svalbard's second-largest settlement, remains open but is reportedly reducing production.
Svalbard has previously relied heavily on coal for heating and electricity, but the transition to greener energy sources is essential for the future of the community. In 2023, Longyearbyen's coal-fired power station was finally shut down and replaced with a diesel-powered plant, which while still carbon-intensive, managed to cut carbon emissions by nearly half.
A Green Future for Svalbard
Avinor, Norway's government-owned airport operator, is poised to play a significant role in Norway's ambitious plan to decarbonize its aviation sector. Avinor aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2030 and 90% by 2050. A new biogas power plant, planned for Svalbard's airport, is expected to enter service by the end of 2025 or early 2026, subject to regulatory approval. This plant will produce biogas with a relatively low carbon footprint, even considering shipping costs, and will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions at Avinor's northernmost airport significantly.
Solar power has been part of Svalbard's energy landscape since 2015, with a solar plant in operation. Although operational during only 6 months of the year due to darkness, solar power generation in Svalbard works best under cooler temperatures, making the arctic conditions particularly advantageous for solar power harvesting.
With coal gradually disappearing, tourism is becoming Svalbard's primary source of income.
"Svalbard used to be an extreme tourism destination, catering to the most adventurous travelers. It is still rather niche, but we are becoming more mainstream," says Ronny Brunvoll, CEO of Visit Svalbard. The thriving tourism industry aims to preserve Svalbard's untouched wilderness while offering visitors thrilling outdoor activities such as dog-sledding, snowmobile tours, and enjoying the aurora borealis.
Touring Svalbard comes with its own set of challenges and warnings. Brunvoll advises visitors not to venture out without a guide, as they may come across polar bears, experience sudden weather changes, and potential communication issues due to limited mobile coverage. Despite the risks, tourism is carefully controlled in Svalbard, with the number of lodgings limited to 500 rooms and expected to remain this way in the foreseeable future.
The dangers of overtourism are acutely understood in Svalbard, and both the tourism industry and authorities are keenly aware of their duty to protect the islands' pristine wilderness.
- The Arctic's allure has caught the attention of a Swedish startup, OceanSky Cruises, planning luxury airship voyages to the North Pole, though a launch date remains undisclosed.
- While the North Pole might remain a dream for some, certain airlines offer flights perilously close to the frozen top, such as Svalbard Airport, the world's most northerly airport with scheduled commercial flights.
- The environmentally delicate Arctic region, like Svalbard, faces the harsh effects of climate change, such as the melting permafrost threatening buildings and infrastructure.
- Svalbard's transition to greener energy sources is essential for the future of the community, with coal mines gradually disappearing and solar power generation proving advantageous under arctic conditions.
- Tourism is becoming Svalbard's primary source of income, with a thriving industry offering thrilling outdoor activities while preserving the untouched wilderness.
- Venturing into Svalbard without a guide can present risks, including encounters with polar bears, sudden weather changes, and limited mobile coverage.
- Tourism is carefully controlled in Svalbard to protect its pristine wilderness, with the number of lodgings limited to 500 rooms and expected to remain this way in the foreseeable future, as the dangers of overtourism are acutely understood.
