Boost for Swedish connectivity as new long-haul non-stop services to the US and Asia are launched this autumn

In the past week some very good and important news about improved connectivity to and from Sweden have been announced out of Swedavia’s airports, as Sweden has started its post-Covid-19 pandemic recovery. For the first time in 17 months travelers to and from Sweden will benefit from a non-stop long-haul service to the US.

This autumn SAS will resume non-stop service on three long-haul routes from Stockholm Arlanda Airport to New York, Chicago and Miami. Finnair is also making a major investment in Sweden with three new long-haul routes to Bangkok, Phuket and Miami, all with non-stop service from Arlanda, where Finnair will also establish a new base starting in the autumn.

“A Sweden with better international air links is a better Sweden. The Covid-19 pandemic has dealt a heavy blow to Swedish access and made a country that is entirely dependent on good links to the rest of the world more inaccessible. As the world now opens up and more people are given the opportunity to travel, it is extremely important for Sweden that we can safeguard and develop this vital long-haul aviation,” says Jonas Abrahamsson, Swedavia’s president and CEO.

In 2019, before the pandemic, Stockholm Arlanda had nearly 30 intercontinental direct routes, with ten of these to the US. At present, the number of intercontinental routes has been reduced to five, with no direct service available to the US.

“Being able to travel and ship goods from Sweden to the rest of the world and from abroad to Sweden is absolutely critical to Swedish competitiveness. The US is Sweden’s third largest export market and likewise constitutes a vital base for Swedish tourism. Thailand is a very popular destination for many Swedes but also for everyone in Sweden who has relatives and friends in Thailand. I am therefore delighted that we can welcome SAS back and that Finnair has chosen to invest in Sweden and Stockholm Arlanda Airport. The launches are also a testament to the many growth opportunities in the Swedish market going forward,” says Jonas Abrahamsson.