Swedes looking for a winter getaway will have a new low-cost option from the end of this year, as low-cost airline Ryanair expands services to and from Sweden. Two planes will serve 21 European destinations from a new base at Stockholm Arlanda, the country’s busiest airport.

Irish budget airline Ryanair has previously flown from Skavsta, which is over an hour south of Stockholm by bus. Arlanda is only 18 minutes from Stockholm by express train and offers many more connections.

Despite the move to Arlanda, Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson said SVT the airline will continue to operate certain routes from Skavsta. He highlighted destinations such as Milan and London where Ryanair operates from multiple airports, but said they would look at costs. “This shows our great optimism for the future,” he said.

A new focus on inland roads in Sweden

Among the 90 new weekly departures, there will be 14 flights to Gothenburg and 10 to Malmö, bringing new competition to the Swedish domestic travel market. It’s a curious move given that demand for domestic air travel in Sweden had plummeted even before the pandemic, with many Swedish travelers. choose a train trip rather.

New European destinations for Stockholm

Top Ryanair Destinations Gdansk, Krakow and London Stansted will see seven weekly departures from Arlanda, while Riga and Warsaw Modlin will see five. Ryanair is also planning a number of new European destinations from Arlanda, including Baden-Baden in Germany and Banja Luka in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Charlotte Ljunggren of the airport operator Swedavia said they welcomed Ryanair to Arlanda with “great joy”, in particular with the expected request to visit family and friends once the pandemic-related travel restrictions across Europe are lifted: “The access will be important in the restart after the pandemic, and more direct routes are important for growing regions and for the tourism industry throughout Sweden. “

Expansion to Gothenburg, return to Malmö

The airline will also expand its operations at Gothenberg Landvetter Airport. In addition to the new Stockholm route, Ryanair will start flying to Billund, Riga and Zagreb.

After a period of absence caused by a drop in demand linked to a pandemic, Ryanair is also returning to Malmö airport.