Norway’s Prime Minister Faces Scrutiny Over Private Jet Usage

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has arrive under fire for utilizing private aircraft for 30 journeys during his tenure, incurring costs exceeding NOK 13 million (approximately $1.2 million USD as of March 14, 2026). The scrutiny intensified after a trip combining attendance at a football match with travel to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, prompting criticism regarding environmental impact and financial responsibility.

Private Plane Travel Details

Records accessed by the online newspaper Nettavisen detail Prime Minister Støre’s use of chartered planes from October 2021 to February 2026. A recent instance involved travel from Bodø, Norway, following a football match between Bodø/Glimt and Manchester City, to Oslo, and then onward to the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 21, 2026 [NRK]. This trip occurred shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced potential tariff threats against Norway.

Political Criticism

Sofie Marhaug, a representative from the Rødt (Red) party and member of the energy and environment committee, criticized the prime minister’s choice to use a private plane for the journey. Marhaug argued that scheduled flights were available and questioned the necessity of private air travel, citing its significantly higher carbon footprint. [Nettavisen]

“This sounds like lavish and unnecessary use of private aircraft,” Marhaug stated. “If we are to manage to cut emissions, the environmental and climate policy must be fair, and I think people perceive this as a bit unfair.”

Government Response

The Prime Minister’s Office (SMK) has defended the use of chartered aircraft, stating they are reserved for “special cases” where they are deemed necessary for safety, time constraints, or efficiency. [Nettavisen] Anne Kristin Hjukse, communications manager at SMK, highlighted that several trips were related to addressing the security policy situation, including meetings in Germany, Poland, Egypt, and Albania, often arranged with short notice.

Broader Context

Jonas Gahr Støre has served as the Prime Minister of Norway since October 14, 2021, succeeding Erna Solberg [Wikipedia]. His government initially consisted of the Labour Party and the Centre Party, but the Centre Party departed the coalition on February 4, 2025 [regjeringen.no]. Støre also previously served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2005 to 2012 and as Minister of Health and Care Services from 2012 to 2013 [Wikipedia].

Environmental Impact of Private Jets

Private planes are estimated to pollute between 5 and 14 times more per passenger than scheduled commercial flights, raising concerns about their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.