SAS is launching three direct routes to the new airport in Sälen from foreign destinations. While the company is focusing on international passengers, BRA is opening routes to the destination from several Swedish cities.
”"An important part of our strategy is to utilize our capacity," Freja Annamatz, press manager at SAS.
In December, the new Scandinavian Mountains Airport will open in close proximity to Sälen and Trysil.
SAS will start direct routes to the new airport, which will be flown directly from London, Copenhagen and Aalborg during the 2019-2020 winter season until Easter.
The company has seen great interest in traveling to the mountain destination from markets in the UK and Denmark, according to Freja Annamatz, press manager at SAS.
For SAS, their seasonal routes are generally very important, both during the summer and winter seasons.
”"We obviously try to find destinations that are attractive during the winter months. It is an important part of our strategy to utilize our capacity by seasonally adapting our routes," says Freja Annamatz.
The reason the airline giant has not chosen to fly from Swedish destinations is because they see that travelers from Stockholm, among others, may choose other modes of transport such as cars, while the demand to fly to the mountains is greater from the long-distance destinations they have chosen to operate from.
SAS will operate the new routes with its Airbus 320neo aircraft, which, according to the company, is "the quietest and most fuel-efficient plane on the market and reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to 18 percent."”
”These lines will be an alternative means of transport to the Swedish and Norwegian mountains for longer-distance travelers, which will hopefully attract many people to discover the destinations,” says Freja Annamatz.
”"Thanks to SAS's sustainability work, which means that we will reduce our emissions by 25 percent by 2030, we hope to be able to offer the best product possible," she adds.
Unlike SAS' domestic carrier BRA will operate to the new airport from Stockholm Bromma, Gothenburg, Malmö, Ängelholm and Växjö. They will have their first flight before Christmas and will fly during the winter season.
The company has previously announced that they will fly from Skåne to the new airport.
”"We will adapt to the market and see what needs there are. But to start with, it is planned for a little over three months and to follow our customers' travel choices," says Ulrika Matsgård, commercial manager for BRA.
According to her, the new routes are a positive addition to the destinations that the company offers.
”"It feels really fun and we have high hopes that this will be well received when we get started this winter," says Ulrika Matsgård.
The airline has previously flown between Ängelholm and Mora during the winter season and it has been a very popular route, she continues.
BRA has expected that other airlines will also operate domestically to and from Sälen.
”"It is welcome and it is a large catchment area with many visitors that is growing and it is difficult to say what could possibly be a line that competes with airlines on a certain route," says Ulrika Matsgård.
”It is still too early to know how large the base will be because it is a new line and a new airport,” she adds.
Even though SAS does not fly from any Swedish airports to Sälen, Ulrika Matsgård believes that the routes that SAS will fly from Copenhagen are an alternative for those living in Skåne to travel to the mountains.
But it's not just SAS that can steal the company's customers. The airline scandal is very noticeable in the Swedish domestic market.
”"More travelers are considering their travel options. It's no different when it comes to this destination. We try to offer passengers as green a trip as possible and that we fly with smaller aircraft to be able to get as high a load factor on board as possible," says Ulrika Matsgård.
The company will fly with its ATR propeller aircraft, which, according to BRA, is one of the most environmentally friendly aircraft and also has the option of flying on biofuel.
Source: di.se
