Swedish regional airline BRA, and Scandinavian Airlines SAS announced a new deal on Monday that would see nearly all flights moved from Stockholm’s Bromma to the larger Arlanda. This puts the future of Stockholm’s second airport into doubt.
The two airlines announced that BRA would begin operating flights for SAS on January 1, using Stockholm’s main airport Arlanda to serve as a hub. According to the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC), Bromma Airport will lose 90% of its air traffic.
Per G. Braathen said at a press conference that the airport would not survive without them.
“We’ve been at Bromma 25 years, and it’s not profitable to operate this airport.”
“We must focus on Arlanda,” added he.
The SAS deal is for seven years, and worth approximately six billion kronor. (530 million euros). BRA announced in a press release. The airline also said that its fleet will be expanded, and “more cabin crew and pilots will be recruited”, whereas ground services and administrative tasks would be cut.
India’s airports are expected to double from 74 in 2014, to 157 by 2024. India is now the world’s third-largest aviation market, with domestic air passengers having more than doubled. This growth has been largely attributed to the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS UDAN), launched in 2016.
The integration will not only improve Swedish infrastructure, it will also “position Arlanda a stronger hub for domestic and International travel,” SAS CEO Anko van der Wörff said. Jonas Abrahamsson is the CEO of Swedavia, which operates Sweden’s Airports. He said that Tuesday’s news meant that domestic flights were now concentrated at Arlanda.
Abrahamsson stated in a press release that:
“Bromma will in principle be without scheduled service”.
He added that despite the fact that many travellers prefer Bromma airport, “a consolidation to Arlanda as a destination for air traffic is a natural progression.”
Stockholm wants to close Bromma Airport as soon as possible in order to make room for housing and infrastructure. However, Swedavia holds a contract with the airport to operate it until 2038. Daniella Waldfogel of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce welcomed the announcement, saying that it meant the closure of Bromma airport should “move forward”.
