Airline Name
BraathensIATA: BU / ICAO: BRA / Callsign: BRAATHENS
I’m also going to throw Braathens Sverige
in here,
IATA: TQ / ICAO: TQA / Callsign: TRANSWEDE
Country of Origin
NorwayBraathens Sverige
Aircraft Types Used (from those available in WoA)
B734 (737-400) (7 operated),Landing at INN,
Cool photo (Carrying Norwegian Air Force crew),
1998-2000 livery,
B755 (737-500) (21 operated),
1998-2000 livery,
B737 (737-700) (13 operated),
1998-2000 livery,
Braathens Sverige
B733 (737-300) (2 operated),
B735 (737-500) (1 operated),
F100 (Fokker 100) (4 operated),
Why should this airline be added?
Originally founded as Braathens S.A.F.E in 1946, this airline was reformed into just Braathens in 1998, as part of KLM taking a 30% stake in the company. Braathens had purchased Transwede Airways in 1998 and due to it moving towards being more of a competitor to SAS in Scandinavia. They also bought Malmö Aviation but this was sold in 2001. The airline, along with SAS, entered into a price war with Color Air in its founding in September 1998, leading to the airline losing over 1 billion NOK and selling Braathens Sverige as a means to keep afloat.In 2001, the shares in Braathens owned by KLM and Braganza were sold to SAS Group, amounting to a 69% share in the airline. SAS wanted to merge the 2 airlines and in 2004, got permission to finally do so, ending the airlines independence and leading to SAS Braathens/Norge’s foundation.
The airline would be an excellent one to see, especially with a future Scandinavian airport. It was an important part of Norwegian aviation history and an intrinsic part of the current SAS brand in Norway. It also had a very cool livery, especially the 1998-2000 short lived one, and could really spice up some players airports.