DALLAS — After a decade-long hiatus, Toulouse, France, is now reconnected to Copenhagen, Denmark.

This morning, Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (ATB) marked a significant milestone with the inauguration of a new nonstop route to Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup (CPH), operated by Norwegian Airlines Air Shuttle (DY).

This development is poised to significantly boost regional development and tourism in Toulouse and the Occitanie region.

After having established a connection with North America with Air Canada (AC) and Air Transat (TS) and Asia/Middle East with Qatar Airways (QR), ATB is extending its network to another major hub in Northern Europe with DY.

Until October 4, DY's Boeing 737-8 will operate two flights a week on Mondays and Fridays with 189 seats onboard. Initially seasonal, this service could be scheduled throughout the year, with both the airport and the airline still considering it. Other destinations to Northern Europe could be offered in the coming months.

The objective of this route for Bruno Balerdi, ATB's Commercial Director, is to connect Toulouse to Copenhagen but also northern Europe in general, “The opportunity with this line is to do a point-to-point with Copenhagen, a magnificent city to discover, but also Northern Europe [...] a particular target that we are working on”.

A Culturally Significant Connection

Indeed, this route will allow passengers from Toulouse to connect and transit to other northern cities, such as Stockholm, Oslo, and Bergen.

But why connect Toulouse to northern Europe? The answer lies in the deep cultural and geographical affinity between the Toulouse region and Northern Europe. Toulouse citizens are drawn to this part of Europe, with its values of happiness, connection with nature, and the Art-de-vivre that Scandinavians cultivate.

But also because it's an opportunity to bring Swedes, Danes, and Norwegians back to the Occitanie region, which has a DNA that matches the expectations of these same tourists.

According to Vincent Garel, Chairman of the Comité Régional du Tourisme et des Loisirs d'Occitanie, this route “will develop and benefit the region's attractiveness and tourism development missions” and mobility solutions.

After the speeches, passengers enjoyed the buffet made for them for this special occasion, which included drinks and special cakes with Danmark flags. Then, the symbolic ribbon was cut to officially open the route.

After that, a special photo session with the chairman and DY crew was held on the tarmac in front of the aircraft before their flight back to Copenhagen.