Svalbard Airport, Longyear (LYR)

Longyearbyen, NO 🇳🇴 Medium Airport Scheduled Service

ICAO

ENSB

IATA

LYR

Elevation

88 ft

Region

NO-21

Local Time

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Airport Information

GPS Code: ENSB

Local Code: Not available

Location: 78.246101° N, 15.4656° E

Continent: EU

Type: Medium Airport

Arrivals
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Departures
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External Links

Official Website Wikipedia Live Flights
Nearby Points of Interest

What Travelers Say

AI-Generated Summary Based on web research

Svalbard Airport, Longyear (ENSB (LYR)) generally receives positive feedback from recent travelers, who appreciate its small size, efficiency, and unique Arctic charm. Despite limited facilities, the airport is often praised for its quick processing times and friendly staff, contributing to a smooth travel experience in this remote location.

What Travelers Love
  • Efficiency and Ease of Use: Travelers consistently highlight the airport's small size, making check-in, security, and baggage claim quick and hassle-free.
  • Friendly Staff: The staff are frequently described as welcoming and helpful, enhancing the overall positive experience.
  • Scenic Views: The terminal offers mesmerizing views of the surrounding sea and mountains, providing a picturesque backdrop for travelers.
  • Convenient Airport Shuttle: A well-organized airport bus connects all scheduled flights with hotels and guesthouses in Longyearbyen, taking 10-15 minutes and costing NOK 75.
  • Free WiFi: Travelers can access free Wi-Fi, often in two-hour sessions that can be renewed, or unlimited.
Common Complaints
  • Limited Facilities and Amenities: The airport has a basic snack bar and two shops (a souvenir shop and a small mini-market). There are no dedicated sleeping areas, lounges, or luggage storage facilities.
  • No Overnight Stays: Due to minimal operating hours, overnight stays within the terminal are not permitted, with staff asking travelers to leave.
  • Exposure to Weather on Tarmac: Passengers must walk across the tarmac to and from the aircraft, which means being exposed to the often cold and windy Arctic weather.
  • Schengen Immigration at Mainland Norway: While there's no passport control at LYR, travelers arriving from Svalbard must clear Schengen immigration, customs, and potentially re-check luggage upon arrival in mainland Norway (e.g., Tromsø or Oslo), which can be confusing and time-consuming for connecting flights.
  • Potential for Crowding: While generally efficient, the airport can occasionally be strained by surges in tourism or charter flights, leading to increased wait times.

Svalbard Airport offers a functional and often pleasant gateway to the Arctic, with its strengths lying in its simplicity, efficiency, and unique location. Travelers should be prepared for limited amenities and be aware of the immigration procedures upon returning to mainland Norway.

Generated 5 days ago

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This summary is automatically generated by AI based on web research of traveler reviews and experiences. AI-generated content may not always be 100% accurate.

Current Weather Conditions

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Airport Routes

Top Routes (by observations)
Newly Discovered
Popular Flight Routes
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Top Airlines

Operating at Svalbard Airport, Longyear
Airlines by Flight Activity
Based on observed flight operations and route network
Airline Routes Flights Destinations Last Activity
2 16 2 Dec 8, 2025
2 5 2 Dec 8, 2025
2 4 2 Oct 22, 2025
1 1 1 Aug 13, 2025
Showing top 4 airlines by flight activity. Data includes observed departures and route networks from this airport.
For Pilots

Designation Length Width Surface Status
09/27 7608 ft 148 ft ASP Active Lighted

Type Description Frequency
AFIS INFO 118.1 MHz
AFIS INFO 884.0 MHz

Ident Name Type Frequency

Ground Transportation

Last updated: Nov 21, 2025
Taxis

Taxis are available and meet all scheduled flight arrivals. The main companies are Svalbard Taxi and Longyearbyen Taxi. The taxi stand is located directly outside the terminal. The ride to the center of Longyearbyen takes approximately 10 minutes. Pre-booking is possible but generally not required.

Rental Cars

Car rental is available from local providers like Arctic Autorent, which has a service desk inside the airport terminal. Due to a limited number of vehicles, pre-booking is strongly recommended. The road network is very limited (approx. 50 km in total), and driving is restricted to the area around Longyearbyen.

Public Transportation

An airport shuttle bus (Flybussen) is the most common option. It meets every scheduled flight arrival and departure, transporting passengers to and from all the hotels and guesthouses in Longyearbyen. Tickets can be purchased from the driver on the bus with a credit card.

Nearby Airports

Ny-Ă…lesund Airport, Hamnerabben
ENAS
Ny-Ă…lesund, NO
Small Airport
~110 km away
Barentsburg Heliport, Heerodden
ENBA
Barentsburg, NO
Heliport
~33 km away
Pyramiden Heliport
ENPY
Pyramiden, NO
Heliport
~49 km away
Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.