Tag Archives: Stockholm

Air Canada expands in Europe with new routes to Stockholm Arlanda

Air Canada Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner C-FVLX (msn 38356) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 961852.

Air Canada today announced the strategic expansion of its presence in Scandinavia with new summer seasonal flights to Stockholm. Three weekly flights from Montreal and two weekly flights from Toronto will begin June 12, 2024.

The airline will also be increasing capacity on its year-round Copenhagen flights from Toronto with daily flights beginning May 1, 2024 until Oct. 31, and will resume seasonal flights from Montreal earlier on May 2, 2024, increasing up to five weekly flights in June.

Three weekly flights from Montreal and two weekly flights from Toronto will begin June 12, 2024. (CNW Group/Air Canada)

Air Canada first launched service to Scandinavia in 2010 with flights from Toronto to Copenhagen. In 2023, the airline expanded its presence in Copenhagen with the addition of new flights from Montreal to Copenhagen.

Air Canada plans to operate 100 per cent of its peak summer 2019 trans-Atlantic capacity next year, taking full advantage of the robust recovery in its largest international market.

New Stockholm route* details:

Flight	Origin	Departs	Destination	Arrives	Days Operating	Begins
AC802	Montreal (YUL)	18:00	Stockholm (ARN)	7:05 (+1 day)	Tue, Fri, Sun	June 14, 2024
AC803	Stockholm (ARN)	12:15	Montreal (YUL)	14:05	Mon, Wed, Sat	June 15, 2024
AC902	Toronto (YYZ)	20:30	Stockholm (ARN)	10:05 (+1 day)	Wed, Sat	June 12, 2024
AC903	Stockholm (ARN)	12:15	Toronto (YYZ)	14:35	Thur, Sun	June 13, 2024

Flights will be operated with Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Top Copyright Photo: Air Canada Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner C-FVLX (msn 38356) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 961852.

Air Canada aircraft photo gallery:

SAS to retire the last Boeing 737 on November 19, 2023

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS is planning to operate the last Boeing 737 flight on November 19, 2023 from Stockholm (Arlanda) to Oslo with Boeing 737-783 LN-RRB (msn 32276) named “Dag Viking” (above).

SAS made this announcement:

It’s time for our last Boeing 737 flight

“To move from the old to the new is the only tradition worth keeping”. These words, written by founder Wallenberg, are as valid today as they were back in 1946 when SAS was founded.

The Boeing 737 has served us well, but it’s time to say goodbye to this iconic aircraft, to make way for the next generation, more efficient aircraft, which we have been phasing in for the last few years.

On November 19, 2023, Dag Viking will complete the final commercial Boeing 737 flight for SAS. It happens under the flight number SK737, on a memorable trip from Stockholm to its home base in Oslo.

If you want to be a part of its last journey, make sure to reserve your seat today. You can book your ticket on our website and in the app.

Top Copyright Photo: Scandinavian Airlines-SAS Boeing 737-783 WL LN-RRB (msn 32276) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 952158.

SAS aircvraft photo gallery:

PLAY to add flights to Stockholm Arlanda, posts an operating profit

Play Airlines will add the Keflavik – Stockholm (Arlanda) route on March 31, 2023.

The new route will operate four days a week.

On the financial side, the airline issued this financial statement for the third quarter:

PLAY carried around 311 thousand passengers in Q3 and anticipates around 800 thousand passengers this year.

● Revenues in the quarter were USD $59.9 million compared to USD $32.5 million in Q2.

● In 2023 PLAY forecasts 1.5 to 1.7 million passengers with a turnover of $310 to $330m USD and a positive operating profit from the full year.

● Load factor in Q3 was very acceptable at 85%. The load factor for October was 81.9% when PLAY carried approx. 92 thousand passengers.

● The financial position of the company is strong. Cash and cash equivalents on September 30 amounted to USD $29.6 million including restricted cash. The equity ratio was 12.1% and the company has no external interest-bearing debt.

● Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) were positive in Q3 2022 in the amount of USD $1.3 million. EBIT will be negative in the second half of the year and for the full year.

● PLAY’s guidance for 2022 has been updated and the company forecasts an annual turnover of approx. USD $140 million this year.

● PLAY’s cost target of being under 4 US cents a unit (CASK excl. fuel), was more than achieved and was 3.1 US cents in Q3.

● 27 destinations are currently on sale.

PLAY had an operating profit (EBIT) in Q3, with a load factor of approx. 85% and around 311 thousand passengers flown. PLAY expects passengers to be around 800 thousand in 2022 and between 1.5 to 1.7 million in 2023.

PLAY expects the annual turnover for 2023 to be USD $310 to $330 million and the company forecasts a positive operating profit (EBIT) for the full year.

PLAY will not reach its previously stated target of achieving a positive operational profit (EBIT) in the second half of the current year due to challenging external market environment. General demand from passengers coming to Iceland was lower than anticipated in late summer and fall due to, amongst other factors, the status of the Icelandic tourism industry which was at maximum capacity with hotel and rental cars fully booked. This resulted in more connecting passengers (VIA) than were expected which deliver less unit revenue than direct passengers (to Iceland). Ancillary revenue was also lower than expected due to passengers’ increased demand for carry-on bags rather than checked baggage because of the serious condition of baggage handling at airports in our markets. At the same time, fuel prices remained high. The above had a negative effect on PLAY’s financial results.

PLAY is now seeing positive development as the capacity issues in the Icelandic tourism sector are largely solved and as prepaid COVID-19 vouchers (e.g., airfare, hotels, and rental cars) have decreased significantly. PLAY clearly sees a strong booking trend to Iceland for the winter and next year. The Icelandic Tourist Board anticipates 40% increase in passengers coming to Iceland next year compared to 2022 which will have a positive effect on PLAY’s business. PLAY will soon launch a number of digital solutions and further strengthen its distribution channels that will increase ancillary revenues and improve online service. PLAY also sees strong booking activity from travel agents for passengers visiting Iceland next year.

PLAY’s cost target of being under 4 US cents was achieved during Q3, as unit cost (CASK excl. fuel) was 3.1 US cents, this is due to effective cost control and increased economy of scale in the business.

Top Copyright Photo: PLAY Airlines Airbus A320-251N WL TF-PPB (msn 10134) BWI (Brian McDonough). Image: 957545.

PLAY aircraft photo gallery:

Ryanair is expanding operations at Stockholm Arlanda

Ryanair is adding two addition Boeing 737 aircraft at Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport.

The will allow the ultra low-fare carrier to add 13 new routes from ARN this winter.

Swedavia issued this statement:

Ryanair has announced its biggest ever Swedish winter offering as it continues to strengthen its presence in the Swedish market. The Irish low-cost carrier will launch thirteen new direct routes from Stockholm Arlanda Airport this winter. Six of them are all new routes, half of which are brand-new European destinations. Altogether, the airline has launched 44 new direct routes from its new base at Arlanda since it opened a year ago.

In conjunction with Ryanair’s celebration of its one-year anniversary of setting up operations and opening a base at Stockholm Arlanda Airport for the 2021 winter season, the Irish low-cost carrier has announced a continued expansion and its biggest Swedish winter timetable ever. The airline is launching thirteen new direct routes ahead of the 2022 winter season, of which six routes are brand new at Arlanda. Ryanair initially based two aircraft at the airport and launched 23 direct routes. Since opening its base, the carrier has placed four aircraft in Stockholm and until now flown some 1,5 million passengers to and from Arlanda. All in all, the airline has now launched 44 new European routes, five of which are domestic – to Göteborg Landvetter, Malmö, Luleå, Visby and Skellefteå. Twenty destinations are new for the airport and complement Arlanda’s other destinations on offer.

During the year, Ryanair has also expanded at Göteborg Landvetter and returned to Malmö Airport, providing both domestic and international service, which is important for regional access.

Planned completely new Ryanair destinations winter 2022/23 from Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN):
· Birmingham (BHX): Starts October 30, 2 weekly departures on Wednesdays and Sundays
· Malta (MLA): Starts November 1, 2 weekly departures on Tuesdays and Saturdays
· Pisa (PSA): Starts November 1, 2 weekly departures on Tuesdays and Saturdays
· Turin (TRN): Starts November 2, 2 weekly departures on Wednesdays and Saturdays
· Tuzla (TZL): Starts November 2, 2 weekly departures on Wednesdays and Saturdays, new destination from ARN
· Valencia (VLC): Starts January 8, 2023, 2 weekly departures on Thursdays and Sundays, new destination from ARN

The Irish low cost carrier Ryanair Holdings is the largest airline group in Europe today and includes the subsidiaries Buzz, Lauda and Malta Air along with Ryanair. The company has some 80 bases with connections to about 250 destinations in 40 countries, with a fleet of 460 aircraft and another 210 Boeing 737 aircraft on order. Ryanair has high sustainability goals and plans to fuel 12.5 per cent of its flights with sustainable aviation fuel by 2030.

Ryanair aircraft photo gallery:

Finnair moves into SAS’ main hub, launches flights from Stockholm Arlanda to Bangkok, Phuket and Miami

Finnair made this announcement on social media:

Our first direct flights from Stockholm to Bangkok, Phuket and Miami have departed. LAX flights will start in November and JFK in December.

The Phuket flight got a water salute from our partners at Swedavia. We are delighted to offer these new, direct connections to Swedish travelers!

Top Copyright Photo: The A350 prepares to depart ARN bound for MIA. Finnair Airbus A350-941 OH-LWP (msn 392) ARN (Stefan Sjogren). Image: 955677.

Finnair aircraft slide show:

Finnair gallery:

Air France to cut 2,900 jobs and 14 aircraft, order for Dreamliners canceled

Air France (Paris) has announced it will eliminate another 2,900 positions and cut its long-haul fleet by 14 aircraft after a critical board meeting. The long-haul fleet is being reduced from 107 aircraft to only 93. The cuts are coming after management failed to reach a new agreement with its pilots union.

The cut positions include 300 pilots, 900 flight attendants and 1,700 ground staff.

AF will expedite the retirement of its remaining Airbus A340-300s.

The company is also canceling its order for 12 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

Angry AF employees attacked company executives as they left the meeting.

Read the full report by rt.com:

Air France aircraft slide show:

SAS launches a new route to Hong Kong today

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) first departure from Stockholm (Arlanda) to Hong Kong takes off today, making it the only airline to fly direct between Scandinavia and Hong Kong. At the same time, SAS is reopening its lounge at Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport following extensive refurbishment, which will provide SAS customers with an even better experience.

The new route is SAS’s fourth direct connection between Scandinavia and Asia, and SAS is the only airline to fly direct between Scandinavia and Hong Kong. Hong Kong is one of the world’s busiest airports and is the largest in the world in terms of freight.

Timetable Arlanda – Hong Kong

Departures from Arlanda on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays on flight SK963 at 3 pm (1500), arriving in Hong Kong at 7.20 am (0720) local time.

Departures from Hong Kong on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays on flight SK964 at 9.05 am (0905) local time, arriving at Arlanda at 2.35 pm (1435).

SAS currently offers long haul flights from Scandinavia to New York, Washington DC, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo and Hong Kong.

During 2016 SAS will open three more routes; Stockholm to Los Angeles, Oslo to Miami and Copenhagen to Miami.

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-343 LN-RKH (msn 497) departs from the Arlanda hub in this winter view.

SAS aircraft slide show:

SAS to open new routes to Los Angeles and Miami

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) is expanding and opening three new nonstop routes to USA in 2016. The new routes being launched are Los Angeles from Stockholm (Arlanda), Miami from Oslo and Miami from Copenhagen.

SAS is also increasing the number of departures from Stockholm (Arlanda) to New York (JFK) and Chicago (O’Hare) and between Copenhagen and Shanghai.

That means that SAS will now offer over 330,000 additional seats on its intercontinental routes in 2016.

The first flight to Los Angeles will depart on March 14, 2016 and SAS will have daily departures from Stockholm to Los Angeles throughout the summer season and five-six departures a week in the winter season.

The first flights to Miami are expected to depart in the fall of 2016 and the Miami route will have a daily departure from Scandinavia.

Timetable Stockholm Arlanda – Los Angeles

Daily departures from Arlanda (SK933) at 09.50 arriving in Los Angeles 12.15.
Daily departures from Los Angeles (SK934) at 14.15 arriving at Arlanda 10.00.

Timetable Copenhagen – Miami

Departures Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays from Copenhagen (SK953) 09.30 arriving in Miami 13.50.

Departures Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from Miami (SK954) 15.50 arriving in Copenhagen 07.10.

Timetable Oslo – Miami

Departures Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays from Oslo(SK955) 09.35 arriving in Miami 13.50.
Departures Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays from Miami (SK956) 15.50 arriving in Oslo 07.05.

Stockholm – Hong Kong, September 2015

In addition to the new routes, SAS is increasing the frequency of its long haul routes starting with the winter program. SAS will then offer daily flights on the following routes:

Copenhagen – Shanghai (two additional departures each week)
Stockholm – Chicago (one additional departure each week)
Stockholm – New York (one additional departure each week)
Oslo – New York (one additional departure each week)
Copenhagen – San Francisco (one additional departure each week)

These new long haul routes and additional departures mean SAS will now offer its customers over 330,000 more seats on its intercontinental routes in 2016. SAS currently offers long haul flights from Scandinavia to New York, Washington DC, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Beijing, Shanghai and Tokyo.

SAS aircraft slide show:

airBaltic to operate winter weekly flights to Salzburg, will start two new routes from Tallinn

airBaltic (Riga) will operate weekly winter seasonal Boeing 737 service from Riga to Salzburg from December 26, 2015 through March 19, 2016.

Additionally, next summer, the carrier will launch two new routes from Tallinn, Estonia. Tallinn – Amsterdam service will be launched on March 27, 2016 and Tallinn – Stockholm (Bromma) will commence on the same day per Airline Route.

Copyright Photo: Paul Bannwarth/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-36Q YL-BBJ YL-BBJ (msn 30333) approaches the runway at Zurich.

airBaltic aircraft slide show:

Norwegian to launch London Gatwick – Boston service, expands in Spain

Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian Long Haul) (Oslo) has announced it will launch four weekly flights from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to London’s Gatwick Airport (LGW) in May 2016.

Last month, Norwegian announced flights from Boston to Guadeloupe and Martinique, which will commence on December 3, 2015, with twice weekly service to both destinations.

Flights between Boston and London will be served by the new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The airline will start taking delivery of the new Dreamliners in 2016, with 35 seats in Premium and 309 seats in Economy.

Norwegian currently offers 25 nonstop routes from the U.S. to London and Scandinavia with its current fleet of Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners (above), providing more European routes than any other European airline.

Service from Las Vegas will commence on October 31, 2015; service from San Juan, Puerto Rico, will commence on November 1, 2015; and service from St. Croix, U.S. V.I., will commence on November 5, 2015.

Additionally, Norwegian will begin service from Boston, Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and New York/JFK to Guadeloupe Islands’ Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport(PTP) and to Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport (FDF) on December 3, 2015.

In other news, Norwegian’s international expansion continues. For the first time the company launches domestic flights in Spain from the Spanish major cities of Madrid, Barcelona and Malaga to the Canary Islands.

From October Norwegian will offer seven Spanish domestic routes between the mainland and Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Fuerteventura for a total of 56 flights a week.

From Madrid, Norwegian will fly daily Boeing 737-800 flights to Gran Canaria and Tenerife. From Barcelona it will operate several flights a week to Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Fuerteventura. From Malaga it will fly two flights a week to Gran Canaria and Tenerife. Norwegian will offer 56 flights a week between the mainland and the Canary Islands starting on October 25.

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner EI-LNB (msn 35305) with Thor Heyerdahl on the tail lands at Stockholm (Arlanda).

Norwegian aircraft slide show: