Sweden’s Braathens International Declares Bankruptcy; ATR72 Flights Unaffected

Braathens International Airways has officially declared bankruptcy after struggling to secure financing for its Airbus operations. This unfortunate decision has led to the immediate cancellation of charter flights for various tour operators, including Ving and Apollo.

The bankruptcy filing was submitted to the Stockholm District Court and also includes Braathens Crew. Approximately 200 employees will be affected by this change, all of whom are protected by the state wage guarantee.

Airbus Operations Considered Unsustainable

Established in 2022, Braathens International Airways was designed to operate Airbus aircraft for Scandinavian tour operators. The airline’s fleet consisted of five planes, including two A319s and three A320s. However, the venture faced numerous challenges, including aircraft delivery delays, unexpected high startup and operating costs, and a drop in demand from tour operators, placing significant financial strain on the business.

In 2023, the BRA group initiated a court-supervised reorganization, identifying the Airbus operations as a major source of pressure. On August 27, 2025, the board made the difficult decision to phase out the Airbus operations and focus solely on the ATR72-600 fleet. The transition required new financing, but efforts to secure bridge funding were unsuccessful, despite the owners having invested over SEK 300 million ($31 million) since the pandemic began.

“It is with great sadness that the Board has been forced to file for bankruptcy tonight for the Airbus business,” stated Per G. Braathen, the board’s chairman and majority owner. “The financing we sought to implement a controlled phase-out was ultimately unsuccessful, and I understand how those impacted are feeling—sad, shocked, and disappointed. We are left with no option but to restructure and concentrate on the areas of the business that can achieve long-term profitability.”

ATR72 Operations Remain Untouched

Importantly, the bankruptcy does not impact Braathens’ turboprop operations. Braathens Regional Airlines, Braathens Regional Airways, Braathens People, and Braathens Support are not included in these proceedings, ensuring that ATR72-600 ACMI operations for other airlines will continue as scheduled.

Negotiations with unions regarding potential redundancies within the administration will commence soon. The board has emphasized that preserving viable operations and fulfilling existing agreements, while securing jobs in the long run, remains their top priority.