 Svalbard Airport , Longyear , opened in 1975 , allowing better facilities and connection with scheduled flights to the mainland . At the same time , Lufttransport established itself at Svalbard Airport . During the summer of 1975 , the Norwegian Polar Institute stationed two helicopters at Ny @-@ Ålesund Airport to support their expeditions . During the late 1970s there was little winter activity in Ny @-@ Ålesund , but the air strip was kept operational for the few groups of researchers who did visit . A radio line repeater was installed at <unk> in 1980 , resulting in Ny @-@ Ålesund receiving a telephone connection . A radio beacon was subsequently installed at the airport . 
