Braathens Bankruptcy Disrupts Travel Plans for Ving and Apollo Customers

In a surprising turn of events, Braathens has filed for bankruptcy, leading to the immediate cancellation of all flights operated under its Airbus division. The company, which began operations in 2022 with the aim of providing flight capacity to travel organizers, cited complications in its operations as the primary reason for its sudden closure. The owner, Per G Braathen, expressed regret over the situation, acknowledging the disappointment and distress it has caused to those affected.

Approximately 200 employees are set to be impacted by this bankruptcy. However, the core operations of Bra, the parent airline that operates domestic flights within Sweden, remain unaffected by this decision.

Claes Pellvik, the communications director at Ving, indicated that the company had anticipated Braathens might cease operations by 2026 but were caught off guard by the abrupt announcement. Ving is now actively working to arrange alternative flights for all passengers impacted by this unexpected development.

In the immediate aftermath, Ving managed to find replacement flights for morning departures and is committed to ensuring that all travelers, whether en route or scheduled to travel, will receive alternative arrangements. While there may be minor adjustments to flight schedules, Ving is optimistic that those with morning and evening flights will still be able to travel as planned.

Currently, Ving has excess capacity within its own airline, Sunclass Airlines, which allows them to substitute their own planes for the operations previously covered by Braathens. This situation is particularly crucial as Braathens represented a smaller portion of Ving's overall flight operations, accounting for about two percent of flights during the autumn and winter seasons. These flights primarily served leisure destinations from smaller regional airports across Sweden and Norway.

In total, nearly 10,000 customers of Ving will be affected by these changes over the upcoming months. For any trips that cannot proceed, customers will receive a full refund, ensuring they are not left out of pocket.

Similarly, Apollo is facing a comparable challenge as it seeks to secure replacement flights for its customers. A spokesperson for Apollo, Martina Krantz, has indicated that the company is confident in its ability to accommodate the majority of affected travelers.