Scandinavian regional airline Wideroe is to return to run flights from Liverpool John Lennon airport next summer following withdrawal due to the Covid crisis.
Twice weekly departures to Bergen in Norway have been scheduled.
Wideroe last operated from Liverpool in 2020 but its previous service to Bergen stopped due to the pandemic.
The new service starts on March 31 using 110-seat Embraer E190-E2 jet aircraft.
It will become the third new airline to added by Liverpool since the lifting of Covid travel restrictions, as the airport continues its recovery from the pandemic, following Lufthansa and Play earlier this year.
Flights between Liverpool and Bergen will run again on Fridays and Mondays.
The route is also expected to prove popular again with Norwegian football fans flying in to attend Liverpool, Everton, Manchester City and Manchester United matches.
Liverpool will be Wideroe’s second UK service after Heathrow and will see Norway become the 25th European country to be linked with direct connections from Merseyside.
Airport aviation development director Paul Winfield said: “Today’s announcement demonstrates the confidence airlines now have regarding the opportunities available to them at Liverpool and we are delighted to welcome Scandinavia’s largest regional airline Wideroe back to Liverpool.
“Their twice weekly service will once again provide passengers from across the north-west with a great way to visit the city of Bergen as well as access to the fjords and the popular cruise market from there.
“It will also allow passengers from across Norway to visit Liverpool and the wider north-west.”
Wideroe commercial director Christian Skaug added: “After two challenging years with severe international travel restrictions, we are extremely happy to share the news that we are returning to Liverpool.
“We have high hopes for this route, both for travellers from Norway to Liverpool and for Merseysiders to further discover Norway and Bergen.
“The route is tailor made for excellent onwards connections into the famous Norwegian fjords and the breathtaking scenery of the north.”