Ålesund Airport — Ålesund, Norway

Ålesund Airport sits on the island of Vigra, connected to the mainland city it serves by an undersea road tunnel rather than a bridge, one of several such tunnels that define transportation across this fjord-cut stretch of Norway's coast. Its one runway sits 69 feet above the water, handling domestic hops to Oslo and Bergen plus seasonal routes tied to the region's fishing and offshore industries. Ålesund itself is known for its unusual architectural unity, having been almost entirely rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style after a catastrophic fire destroyed most of the wooden town in 1904, with wealthy patrons including Kaiser Wilhelm II contributing to the reconstruction effort. The surrounding Møre og Romsdal region depends heavily on fishing and fish processing, and the airport handles cargo tied to that export trade alongside passenger traffic. Cruise ships stopping along Norway's western coast also bring seasonal visitors who often fly in or out through Ålesund rather than completing a full round-trip by sea. The dramatic fjord and mountain scenery surrounding the airport makes the approach itself a notable part of many travelers' first impression of Norway.