Stockholm Bromma Airport

During the 1930s the need for a proper airport for Stockholm, the capital city of Sweden, became urgent. The airport was opened on 23 May 1936 by King Gustav V, and was the first airport in Europe to have paved runways from the start. During World War II Swedish and British aircraft flew to the United Kingdom from Bromma Airport. Since these flights sometimes carried Norwegian and Danish refugees the airport became of interest for German spies, and two Swedish Douglas DC-3 that had taken off from Bromma were shot down by the Germans during the war. After the war the airport flourished, two noted airlines that operated from the airport were Aktiebolaget Aerotransport (ABA) which subsequently became the Swedish partner in Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) and Linjeflyg (the Swedish main domestic airline which was later acquired by SAS). However the runway of Bromma was too short for the jet age and for intercontinental traffic in the 1960s (e.g. DC-8), and the capacity limit of Bromma could be foreseen, therefore the Stockholm Arlanda Airport was built. Also the airport, originally built in an almost rural area, became with the large raise in the population of Stockholm and associated housing projects, located inside a major city with associated noise pollution.

With the opening of the Arlanda Airport in 1960–62, all international traffic moved there, the domestic traffic followed in 1983. Bromma became the domain of business jets, general aviation and flight schools in addition to government use. Several of the old hangars were separated from the airport area and turned into shopping outlets adjacent to the airport. With the start of operations by Malmö Aviation with services to Gothenburg, Malmö and London City Airport the airport has experienced something of a renaissance. In 2002 a new control tower was put into use on Ranhammarshöjden and the terminal which had become rundown after years of neglect was renovated. The airport underwent further improvements in 2005 and is now capable of separating passengers arriving from within and outside of the Schengen area.

Sweden's first FBO (fixed-base operator), Grafair Jet Center, was built in 2004 at Bromma Airport. The Swedish CAA at the time, Luftfartsverket, announced a bidding process in 2003 for a contract to build a General Aviation terminal at the airport in order to improve the ground services provided for the general aviation customers flying to Stockholm and Bromma Airport. Grafair won the contract and went on to build the FBO, which was finished 11 November 2004. The Grafair Jet Center was voted the 3rd best international FBO in May 2008 in AIN - Aviation International News.[4]

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, all flights at Bromma were cancelled during a period. BRA, the most frequent airline at Bromma, decided to cancel all its flights from 6 April 2020.[5]

Expansion of the airport is limited by noise issues, a lack of space, and the necessity to preserve the cultural heritage (the airport buildings). With the completion of the third runway at Stockholm Arlanda Airport there is a capacity surplus at that airport, and there are conflicting views on whether to use the land occupied by Bromma Airport for residential and commercial purposes.

Bromma's main advantage over the much larger Arlanda Airport is its proximity to the centre of Stockholm (about 8 km or 5 miles). However, Arlanda's fast rail link, completed in 1999, means that Bromma's competitive edge in this respect is somewhat lost. Both airports are now 20 minutes from Stockholm Central railway station. Since far from all passengers using Arlanda go there by train or start at the central station, Bromma still has a location advantage. For Bromma Airport there has been discussion about a future light railway to pass by. The light railway Tvärbanan extension has been inaugurated in 2013, but the nearest stop is 1 km away at Karlsbodavägen. A branch line of Tvärbanan with a stop at the airport is planned to be in operation by 2021.

When the airport opened in 1936 the surrounding area was mostly rural, however as the city has expanded noise has become an issue. Therefore, certain measures have been put in place, such as limiting airport operations to the daytime, limiting the type of commercial aircraft which are allowed to operate from the airport and soundproofing residential homes near the airport. There has also been a suggestion of denying general aviation and flight schools use of the airport, in order to lessen the impact on the surrounding community.

In late 2014 the Red-Green alliance won control of both Stockholm city and the government in the general election. They have plans to completely shut down the airport and build apartments instead. There is however a contract between the city and Swedavia allowing usage of the airport area until 2038.

• Airport coaches travel directly between Stockholm Bromma Airport and the City Terminal (approx. 20 min travel time).
• Buses 110 and 152 of the Stockholm Transit (SL) system stop at the airport or have a bus stop close to the airport. Travel time to central Stockholm is usually 30 minutes, via Alvik or Sundbyberg. SL bus tickets must be purchased before boarding.

• A branch of the Tvärbanan tram lines is going to reach Bromma Airport from December 2020. These trams will not go to central Stockholm, but a change to Metro will be possible at Alvik.

• There is a taxi stand at the airport, and the proximity to central Stockholm usually ensures that the availability is sufficient at most times.

There is parking at the airport, both at the terminal, short-term and long-term parking lots. Terminal parking costs 45 Swedish kronor/h and is limited to one hour, while short-term and long-term parking is slightly less expensive depending on the length of time. The parking lots are managed by the airport authority Luftfartsverket.