On June 16, 2018, the airline SAS will start a new regular route between Skellefteå and Malaga. This is the first time SAS has started a regular international route from northern Sweden and Robert Lindberg, CEO of Skellefteå Airport, is pleased:
– Fantastic news for Skellefteå and the region! SAS's establishment means new opportunities for regional development, not least for the growing tourism industry.
– SAS's choice to add a new regular route to Skellefteå clearly signals how Skellefteå is becoming increasingly interesting for establishments of all kinds. This of course means new opportunities for tourist and business travel for our region, but just as interesting is that Spanish individuals and companies can now easily get to Skellefteå, Västerbotten and Swedish Lapland, states Lorents Burman, municipal councilor in Skellefteå.
The route will initially operate one day a week, and during the holiday period in July it will operate twice a week. In a first step, SAS will offer departures every week until November, after which an extension may be considered.
– We continue to adapt our destinations to our customers' wishes, and see that more and more people want to travel with us in their free time, not least in the summer. This year we will continue to focus on Spain, where the number of travelers to Malaga is only increasing, and we are now pleased to open a direct route there from Skellefteå as well, says Anders Wahlström, Sales Manager, SAS Sweden.
The Malaga metropolitan area is home to about 1 million people. Malaga Airport, Costa del Sol, is the largest in Andalusia and is very important for tourism in the region, but also for Malaga's business life. Regular direct routes to international destinations are an important part of the infrastructure for residents and visitors. Robert Lindberg, CEO of Skellefteå Airport, is clear about the importance of the new route for the region:
– SAS's establishment of a new regular route to Europe creates new conditions for our region's accessibility. The development we have had and Skellefteå's optimal geographical location create favorable conditions for new routes. Skellefteå's location in the middle of the Norrland coast means that the catchment area for the new route will be the whole of northern Sweden.
Robert believes that the fact that Skellefteå Airport also offers free parking to all passengers further strengthens the airport's ability to attract passengers outside the municipal borders.
Facts about the new flight route
- SAS will fly a brand new A320neo with 180 seats on the route.
- Flight time is 4 hours 45 minutes.
- Flights start June 16, 2018. Tickets are bookable from October 16.
- Between June 16 and July 3, the line will operate once a week on Saturdays.
- Between July 3 and August 7, the line operates twice a week, Tuesdays and Saturdays.
- Between August 7th and week 43, the line will operate once a week on Saturdays.
- After week 43, an extension may be possible.
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