European low-cost carrier, Norwegian Air Shuttle, is set to reopen a base in Billund, continental Denmark, with ten new European destinations. Already, Norwegian serves the airport with direct flights to four European destinations, which will now rise to 14.
For Billund, it will be a sign of relief after seeing Irish ultra-low-cost-carrier, Ryanair, pull out of its base in Billund, citing the decision by the Danish government to enforce a DKK50 (US$7.8) landing charge at the airport. For Norwegian, it comes as the second time to establish a base at the Danish airport, after previously operating from the airport in 2019, and then the airline needed to actively retreat during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Non-stop To LEGOLAND
Many tourists flock to Billund for its famous theme parks, as well as the home of LEGOLAND, which is located on the southwest outskirts of the airport grounds. This makes it a popular tourist destination for families. The list of non-stop European destinations will take flight from late March / early April next year, making the most of the busy summer travel season.
Norwegians’ list of new year-round non-stop flights from Billund Airport will include Barcelona (April 1), Milan Bergamo (April 2), Edinburgh (April 3), Gran Canaria (March 30), and Rome–Fiumicino (April 3). In addition to its existing services to Alicante, London Gatwick, Malaga, and 
Oslo Gardermoen Airport.
Billund Airport (BLL) is one of the country’s busiest air cargo airports and a popular charter airline destination. It is located just 1.2 miles (1.9 km) northeast of downtown Billund, and 1.8 miles (3 km) from the popular LEGOLAND. Those looking to get to the home of LEGO directly from the airport can do so in just five minutes by car, or 30 minutes on foot.
Seasonal Options Added
Norwegian will also add several new seasonal links to Billund in time for the Northern Hemisphere summer season 2026, with the announcement including a complement to its current seasonal service to Palma de Mallorca. From April next year, Naples will join the list, linking LEGOLAND to the home of Pizza. Porto will also join the list from April 28.
The following month, Billund will welcome a direct link to Chania from May 2, providing non-stop flights between the Greek island of Crete and continental Denmark. By June 2026, additional flights will be added to Malta (June 3), and the south of France, Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport, from June 12.
Given that the majority of these routes are heavily leisure-focused, it remains unsurprising that the carrier will enjoy a monopoly on practically all of the new routes added. However, stiff competition can be found at the country’s busiest gateway, Copenhagen Airport (CPH), which is three hours to the east, where most major European and international airlines operate.
Route Developments At Billund
Not only is Norwegian Air making waves at Billund Airport, but the airport is set to welcome several new non-stop services across the next 12 months. Star Alliance carrier, and part of the Lufthansa Group, Austrian Airlines will launch a direct link to the ski slopes, with a seasonal service taking off from December 20, direct to Innsbruck, a city famous for its geographical alpine location, and historic landmarks like the Golden Roof and Imperial Palace. Volotea will also launch a direct seasonal link to Lyon from January 10.
Wizz Air plans to expand its offering to the Danish city from October, with the airline complementing its current year-round services to Bucharest International Airport, Gdansk, Iasi, and Vilnius, with new routes to Chisinau (October 27), Cluj Napoca (October 27), and Katowice (October 27), taking off before the year’s end. By next summer, the popularity of Albania’s coastline will continue to attract new flights, with Tirana seeing a new direct flight from Billund, which will launch on March 3.
While there are over a dozen new destinations set to take flight from Billund soon, there will also be two destinations that disappear from the airport’s route map before the end of October, with 
Lufthansa shelving its direct service to Munich and Vueling’s connection to 
Barcelona-El Prat Airport, both operating their final flights to Billund from October 25.
