Volcanic ash disrupted air transport

Airspace closure in the wake of the volcanic eruption disrupted air transport in the second quarter of 2010, and contributed to a 10.6 per cent reduction in turnover from the same quarter in 2009.

The recent negative trend thus continues for air transport, an industry affected by both volcanic ash from Iceland and a domestic strike in the second quarter. The decrease in turnover was, moreover, a result of both fewer passengers and cheaper airline tickets. Other transport industries, however, showed signs of economic recovery. In total, turnover for the section Transportation and storage increased by 1.7 per cent from the second quarter of 2009 to the second quarter of 2010.

Turnaround in tourism

For the first time since 2008, establishments offering accommodation reported an increase in turnover in the second quarter of 2010. Compared to the same quarter in 2009, turnover in this sector grew by 1.0 per cent, consistent with a greater number of guest nights in this period (see our Accommodation statistics).

Strong growth in information service activities

The most impressive figures in the information and communication sector this quarter were reported by the division Information service activities, where turnover increased by a full 10 per cent from the second quarter of last year. In contrast, telecommunications experienced a drop in turnover of 0.9 per cent in the same period.

Source: Statistics Norway