NextJet

NextJet, operating under the IATA code 2N and ICAO code NTJ, was a prominent Swedish regional airline that played a vital role in connecting communities across Scandinavia and northern Europe. Founded in 2002, the airline was established with the mission of providing reliable regional air services, particularly to areas often underserved by larger carriers. Headquartered in Stockholm, NextJet was privately owned for most of its existence, with its ownership structure evolving over the years. The airline grew steadily by focusing on high-frequency, point-to-point connections within Sweden and neighbouring countries, carving out a niche as a dependable operator for both business and leisure travellers. Despite its eventual closure in 2018, NextJet left a lasting impression on the regional aviation landscape.

At the core of NextJet’s fleet were the versatile Saab 340 and the higher-capacity Saab 2000 turboprop aircraft. These Swedish-built planes were ideally suited for the airline’s operational model, offering efficient performance on shorter runways and in the challenging weather conditions typical of Nordic regions. The Saab 340, a 33-seat turboprop, formed the backbone of the fleet, while the Saab 2000, with a capacity of up to 50 passengers, enabled the airline to handle slightly higher-demand routes. At its peak, NextJet operated a fleet of around a dozen of these turboprops, all known for their reliability and low operating costs. The choice of these aircraft underscored NextJet’s commitment to serving regional networks where larger jets would be impractical, and it allowed the airline to maintain high frequencies while keeping operational expenses manageable.

The airline’s primary operational hub was Stockholm Arlanda Airport, the largest airport in Sweden and a key gateway for domestic and international traffic. NextJet also maintained a significant presence at other Swedish airports, such as Göteborg Landvetter and Malmö Airport, which served as secondary focus cities within its network. This hub-and-spoke model, combined with a strong focus on regional connectivity, made NextJet a vital link for passengers travelling to and from smaller communities in Sweden and parts of Norway and Finland. As a regional carrier, NextJet operated under a predominantly scheduled service model, with a particular emphasis on public service obligation (PSO) contracts. These government-subsidised routes were essential for maintaining air access to remote areas, and NextJet’s proficiency in managing such operations earned it a reputation for reliability. The airline did not belong to any global airline alliance, but it codeshared with several larger carriers, allowing seamless connections for passengers travelling onward via major international gateways.

Notable milestones in NextJet’s history include its expansion into the Norwegian and Finnish markets in the early 2010s, which broadened its footprint in the Nordic region. The airline also received praise for its punctuality and customer service, often ranking highly in regional passenger satisfaction surveys. However, financial challenges, particularly rising fuel costs and intense competition from low-cost carriers and rail services, eventually took their toll. In May 2018, NextJet filed for bankruptcy and ceased all operations, a move that shocked many of its loyal customers and the communities it served. Despite its untimely end, NextJet’s legacy lives on as an example of a dedicated regional airline that successfully navigated the complexities of Nordic aviation for over 15 years, contributing significantly to the connectivity of Sweden and its neighbours. Today, the Saab 340s and 2000s that once bore the NextJet livery continue to fly for other operators, a testament to the enduring value of the aircraft that defined the airline.