Stockholm Arlanda Airport will increase the number of long-haul routes on offer when Japan’s largest 5-Star airline, All Nippon Airlines (ANA), launches a non-stop service between Stockholm and Tokyo in the Summer schedule. It has been more than 30 years since Stockholm Arlanda Airport had a direct route to Tokyo. This service will now be the fastest route from Scandinavia to Japan, which is one of Sweden’s most important export markets in Asia.
In time for Summer 2020, ANA – which is Japan’s largest airline – will launch a non-stop service between Stockholm and Tokyo. The city airport Tokyo Haneda is the country’s major domestic hub. Tokyo Haneda is also Japan’s largest airport, with 87 million passengers a year, and is ranked as one of the best airports in the world in terms of punctuality.
“Japan is one of Sweden’s most important trade partners, and we have recently seen significant Japanese investment in Sweden. The new direct route has long been sought by Swedish export companies, and it will also boost the Swedish tourism industry. We are really pleased that the connectivity between Sweden and Asia is now being significantly expanded with the investment ANA is making at Stockholm Arlanda,” said Jonas Abrahamsson, CEO at Swedavia.
“There is growing demand to visit Japan, and ANA will increase its international service just as Haneda Airport also expands to adapt for inbound Japanese tourism,” said Seiichi Takahashi, Senior Vice President of ANA. “This new route will increase the ease and convenience for passengers flying to Japan, a significant benefit of our dual hub strategy.”
The number of passengers flying between Stockholm and Tokyo has increased a full 50 percent in the past year. With business exchanges growing between the two countries and a large number of tourists travelling in both directions, there is a great need for more access between the countries.
Japan is Sweden’s top Asian export market after China. About 150 Swedish companies – both major corporations and start-up companies – have operations in Japan, the world’s third-largest economy. Sweden, in turn, is the largest Nordic export market for Japan, and 160 Japanese companies have operations here.
The new direct route with 5-Star airline ANA will be the fastest route from Scandinavia to Japan. Without any layovers, this will be a more sustainable flight, while cargo will benefit from faster transport.
“Many of us have long worked to get more direct routes from Stockholm Arlanda and Stockholm so this is very good news. Direct routes make travel easier for both businesses and passengers. I would just like to congratulate everyone who can now fly to Japan in a more convenient way. This will mean a great deal for all of Sweden,” said Anna König Jerlmyr, the mayor of Stockholm.
The Embassy of Sweden and Business Sweden in Tokyo, as well as Stockholm Business Region with subsidiaries, Invest Stockholm and Visit Stockholm have played a crucial role in establishing the new direct route between Stockholm and Tokyo.
