Although the brothers received initial support from the government, the Soviet Union officially protested the airport on 5 November 1958. They claimed it could be used as an air force base—and thus would be a violation of the Svalbard Treaty—and pointed out that planning was partially financed with American military funding and that Gunnar was a military officer. From then on the Norwegian government started actively opposing the airport.
Despite initial support from the government, the Soviet Union protested the airport on November 5, 1958, claiming it could be used as an air force base, violating the Svalbard Treaty. They also pointed out that funding for the project was partially provided by American military funds and that Gunnar, a military officer, had been involved in its planning. This led to the Norwegian government actively opposing the airport's construction.