New operations at Stockholm Arlanda – Icelandic carrier PLAY to launch non-stop service to Reykjavik

The start-up Icelandic low cost carrier PLAY is setting up operations in Stockholm for the first time, with a direct route from Stockholm Arlanda Airport to the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik.

The start-up Icelandic low cost carrier PLAY began flying in the summer of 2021 and in May 2022 launched its first route in Sweden between Gothenburg and Reykjavik. This spring, it will expand its presence in Sweden and launch non-stop service from Stockholm Arlanda.

“We welcome PLAY to Stockholm Arlanda Airport and the increased connectivity to and from Sweden. It is really good news that PLAY sees more opportunities in the Swedish market and has chosen to also set up operations in Stockholm, which shows how attractive the region is,” says Elizabeth Axtelius, Director Aviation Business at Swedavia.

PLAY´s establishment in the market means that there is competition for service between Stockholm and Reykjavik. This is a popular route, especially with leisure travellers, many of whom visit relatives and friends. Before the pandemic, there was a mix of travellers, from Sweden, Iceland and other countries who either stopped in Iceland or continued their journey via Reykjavik to North America.

“Stockholm is a fantastic city, and the Swedes are a curious people who love to travel. It is a great pleasure for me to create a manageable journey between Sweden and the USA - both in terms of logistics, travel time and price”, says Birgir Jonsson, CEO at PLAY. “It has been a couple of tough years in the airline industry, but we still prioritize keeping ticket prices as low as possible. Our customers want to travel, and we try to make it possible for as many as possible - both when we expand our network and when we keep the prices at a level where most people can participate.”

Starting March 31, PLAY will fly between Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) – Keflavik International Airport (KEG) four times a week year-round, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, using an Airbus A321neo aircraft type.

PLAY is a new Icelandic low-cost airline operating flights between Europe and North America. PLAY, based at Reykjavik’s Keflavík International Airport, launched operations in June 2021. It offers low fares and a fleet of new Airbus aircraft. PLAY puts great focus on safety, and other core values are on-time performance, simplicity, happiness and low fares. Tickets are now on sale. For more information: flyplay.com.

Swedavia’s work for fossil-free aviation
Swedavia has carried out ambitious sustainability work for many years. All ten of its airports achieved the goal of zero fossil carbon dioxide emissions from their own operations by year-end 2020. Swedavia also works actively to promote the switch to sustainable aviation fuel and has the goal that five per cent of all fuel used for refuelling at Swedish airports shall be fossil-free by 2025. Swedavia’s climate transition work and pioneering work to operate climate-smart airports have won international awards, and in 2021 the trade organisation Airports Council International (ACI) named Stockholm Arlanda Airport Eco-Innovation Airport of the Year. Swedavia offers all travellers flying from one of its airports the option of buying biofuel for their entire journey or parts of it via flygreenfund.se/swedavia.

For further information, please contact Swedavia’s press office at tel. +46 (0)10-109 01 00 or press@swedavia.se.