The route to Haguesund continued until 29 September 1956 . From then the local authorities stated that they would rather than the subsidies be used to build a land airport than retain sea services . Braathens SAFE was selected as the operator of the coastal routes from Ålesund instead of West Norway Airlines . Following the icing incident leading to the crash of Braathens SAFE Flight 253 in 1956 , the aviation authorities banned winter operations of the Herons . Thus newer aircraft were needed . Braathens SAFE offered to cross-subsidize the coastal route Bergen – Ålesund – Trondheim in exchange for receiving a monopoly on the profitable Oslo route . Left without concessions , the airline filed for bankruptcy at the end of the 1957 season
Braathens SAFE Flight 253
Braathens SAFE Flight 253
West Norway Airlines