SAS is expanding its route network and strengthening accessibility between North America and Western Sweden and is launching a new direct route to New York from Gothenburg in April 2023. The route will be operated three times a week with a new Airbus 321 Long Range aircraft.
For the first time, non-stop flights between Western Sweden and the USA will be available this spring. SAS is expanding at Gothenburg Landvetter Airport and strengthening accessibility to North America with a popular route to New York that will operate three departures per week.
There are strong connections between Sweden and the US, and New York has long been high on the Gothenburg region's wish list for new direct routes from Landvetter. A direct route to the US means shorter travel times and improves the region's trade opportunities with the US, which is already the Gothenburg region's largest export market. There are around 200 American-owned companies in the region and the number of tourists from the US increased steadily for several years before the pandemic. We are once again seeing a positive development and the US is the fourth largest foreign market in Västra Götaland. According to the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth, more than 150,000 American guest nights were registered between January and October 2022.
– SAS's new route to one of the world's most popular destinations is long-awaited and this is fantastic news for the region. It is a testament to the long-term work that we at Swedavia, together with the tourism industry and the business community, have been conducting for several years. The route improves accessibility to North America and is an important addition to Landvetter's existing route offering, says Anna Stromwall, Airport Manager Gothenburg Landvetter Airport at Swedavia. The USA is one of our largest trading partners and an important market both for freight, inbound tourism and as an attractive travel destination for Swedes.
Before the pandemic, there was a good mix of demand between business and leisure travelers, as well as a mix between Swedish and American travelers. The majority traveled for tourism or to visit family and friends.
– As part of SAS’s strategy to strengthen its regional offering in Scandinavia, we are pleased to be able to add intercontinental routes from Gothenburg and Aalborg. We see demand from secondary cities and are pleased to be able to connect even more parts of the world. The Airbus A321 Long Range is a slightly smaller long-haul aircraft and is perfectly sized to serve the regional market. Having a convenient way to travel with fewer stops to exciting cities like New York is something we believe will be highly valued by our travelers,” says Erik Westman, EVP & CCO, Network and Revenue Management.
Through the GOT Connect project, Swedavia, Business Region Gothenburg, Gothenburg & Co, the West Sweden Tourist Board, Visit Sweden and the West Swedish Chamber of Commerce are collaborating to improve flight accessibility to Gothenburg and West Sweden.
– The establishment of this new flight route is clear proof of West Sweden's strong attractiveness as a region where you can do business, invest and establish yourself. It will be easier for our West Swedish companies to reach a global market while opening the eyes of the outside world to the opportunities in our region. West Sweden is already the driving force in Sweden's economy and the new route will have a direct impact on continued positive growth. The effects will also be felt in the tourism industry, where Gothenburg and West Sweden already have a strong attractiveness, says Johan Trouvé, CEO of the West Swedish Chamber of Commerce.
Starting on April 28, SAS will operate the Gothenburg Landvetter Airport (GOT) – Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) route three times a week with the modern Airbus 321LR aircraft. GOT-EWR will be operated on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and EWR-GOT on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
