Due to the corona pandemic, the existence of two airports in the greater Stockholm area is in acute danger. The government wants to close the inner-city Bromma Airport, which has been known for a long time. Now Skavsta Airport, used by low-cost airlines, is running out of money.

Of course, the question arises why Stockholm actually needs four airports. But if you take a closer look at the location of the four airports, it quickly becomes clear that there are two “real Stockholmers” and two “marketing packages”. Bromma is located within the urban area and is mainly used by regional airlines as the runway is comparatively short. Arlanda is the major airport where SAS also has a base.

Stockholm-Skavsta used to be aptly referred to as Nyköping, because the airport is only seven kilometers away from this city. For marketing reasons, the name of the Swedish capital was then adopted. This is particularly useful for Ryanair and Wizzair, as they market the remote airport as "Stockholm" without batting an eyelid. A bus ride of at least 80 minutes separates Skavsta from the Swedish capital.

Low-cost airlines are the main customers

Since this airport is used almost exclusively by Ryanair and Wizzair, who are known for long negotiations about every penny, it is not surprising that the reduced supply due to the pandemic is putting massive pressure on the finances of the airport in the Swedish pampas. Managing director Cédric Fechter makes no secret of this, because he told the TV station SVT that bankruptcy could be imminent without additional money. If there is no buyer, that could even lead to the settlement and final closure.

Incidentally, Skavsta is operated by a provincial construction, but by the French heavyweight Vinci Airports. It holds concessions and, in some cases, ownership of a total of 36 airports, 12 of which are in France alone. The city of Nyköping has a rather symbolic interest in Skavsta Airport with only 9,9 percent. Now Fechter is hoping for a guarantee from the minority shareholder for an emergency loan. Otherwise the lights could go out soon.

In any case, the provincial airport does not have much to expect from the government, because it does not want any money available, which Fechter also conceded. On the contrary: the closure of Bromma, which has not yet been finally decided, is in the room. Arlanda and Bromma are operated by Swedavia, which is owned by the state.

Stockholm airports in brief

Airlines market a total of four airports as "Stockholm". At least two of them are extremely far from the Swedish capital. Not surprisingly, these are mainly used by low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and Wizzair. The map below shows the location of the four airports.

Arlanda (ARN) is the largest airport in Sweden. This is located about 37 kilometers north of Stockholm and is one of the hubs of SAS. Apart from low-cost airlines, most airlines use this airport.

Bromma (BMA) is located within the urban area of ​​Stockholm. The small airport is the home base of the regional airline BRA and is mainly used by regional airlines due to the 1668 meter short runway. However, Finnair and Brussels Airlines also fly to this airport. The government intends to close the inner city airport. Meanwhile, the main customer BRA no longer offers any resistance.

Skavsta (NYO) is marketed by the low-cost airlines Ryanair and Wizzair as "Stockholm" from Vienna, among others. The airport is a proud 106 kilometers from the Swedish capital. The journey time with the public airport bus is around 80 minutes. The old name Nyköping would be more appropriate for this airport, because the airport is only seven kilometers away from this city. Officially, however, it has been called "Stockholm-Skavsta" for a number of years - also for marketing reasons.

Vasteras (VST) is located around 100 kilometers west of the Swedish capital and is a typical creation by Ryanair. This airport is served exclusively by the Irish low-cost airline and, of course, marketed as Stockholm. The journey time with the airport bus is around 90 minutes.