Fighter pilot training in Arizona and Mississippi provided the foundation for Bjørn Kjos, a Norwegian entrepreneur who transformed the regional carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle into a significant low-cost airline. His career bridges the disparate fields of aviation, law, and seismology, reflecting a versatile professional trajectory that began in the forests of Sokna and extended into international aviation markets.
Military Service and Legal Practice
Born in 1946, Kjos grew up in Sokna. His early exposure to aviation came through his father, Ola, who founded the airline Norsk Skogbruksfly in 1953. After completing service as a paratrooper with the Norwegian Army, Kjos enrolled at the Royal Norwegian Air Force Academy. Between 1969 and 1975, he flew Northrop F-5 and Lockheed F-104 Starfighter aircraft. Following his military service, Kjos transitioned to law, studying at the University of Oslo. He spent nearly two decades as a lawyer and served as a judge in the Moss District Court. By 1993, he had earned the right to represent clients in Supreme Court cases.
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In 1986, Kjos partnered with his brother, Tore, to establish Read-gruppen, an enterprise focused on seismology for the North Sea oil industry. His re-entry into aviation occurred in 1993 when he co-founded Norwegian Air Shuttle following the bankruptcy of the airline Busy Bee. Initially utilizing Fokker 50 aircraft, the company served regional routes in Western Norway. Kjos chaired the board of this venture until 1996 and held a leadership position at Lufttransport until its sale in 2005.
The Low-Cost Model
A pivotal shift occurred in 2002 when Kjos assumed the role of CEO at Norwegian Air Shuttle. He reconfigured the business model to focus on low-cost operations, leasing eight Boeing 737-300s to expand reach. This change accelerated following the 2004 acquisition of Braathens by SAS, allowing Norwegian Air Shuttle to secure a position as the second-largest airline in Scandinavia and among the top low-cost carriers in Europe. During his tenure, his stake in the company was held through HBK Invest.
Personal Pursuits and Public Profile
Outside of corporate leadership, Kjos has authored a spy thriller titled The Murmansk Affair, published in 2006. His personal life includes marriage to Gerd Helen Kjos and three children, one of whom, Anna Helene, followed him into the aviation industry as a pilot. He is an outdoorsman with a regular presence in Lofoten and Hardangervidda. In 2016, he appeared in a music video by the group Ylvis, portraying an aviator.
Fast facts
- Born: 1946, Sokna, Norway
- Education: Royal Norwegian Air Force Academy, University of Oslo
- Aviation experience: F-104 Starfighter and F-5 pilot
- Law career: Lawyer and judge in Moss District Court
- Business founded: Read-gruppen (1986), Norwegian Air Shuttle (1993)
- Published work: The Murmansk Affair (2006)
- Key awards: Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009
Questions readers ask
Did Bjørn Kjos have a career before founding his airline?
Yes, he served as a fighter pilot in the Royal Norwegian Air Force and worked as a lawyer and judge for several years.
What is the primary industry of Kjos's early business venture?
His early business, Read-gruppen, focused on seismology services for the North Sea oil industry.
Achievements
- Affiliated with Norwegian Air Shuttle
- Educated at University of Oslo and Royal Norwegian Air Force Academy
