Malmö Aviation

Malmö Aviation was a Swedish regional airline that operated from its inception in 1981 until its operations were fully integrated into the larger Braathens Regional Airways group in 2016. Founded as a small regional carrier, the airline was originally based in the southern city of Malmö, with its primary hub at Malmö Airport (MMX). Over the decades, ownership changed multiple times, reflecting the turbulent nature of the regional aviation market. The airline was acquired by the Braathens family in 1998, becoming part of the Braathens group, which also controlled other Swedish regional carriers. This connection ultimately led to a merger with Braathens Regional Airways (BRA) in 2013, under the common ownership of Braathens Regional Aviation AB. Throughout its independent years, Malmö Aviation carved out a distinct identity as a reliable point-to-point carrier within Sweden, focusing primarily on business and leisure travellers seeking convenient connections from secondary airports.

The fleet of Malmö Aviation was notable for its consistent composition of Avro RJ series aircraft, specifically the Avro RJ85 and the larger Avro RJ100. These four-engine regional jets, originally designed by British Aerospace, were well suited for the airline’s operations from shorter runways and city-centre airports, such as Stockholm Bromma Airport (BMA), which became its second major hub. The RJ85 and RJ100 offered a quiet cabin and efficient performance on short- to medium-haul sectors. In the final years of its independent operation, Malmö Aviation transitioned to a modern turboprop fleet, introducing the ATR 72-600, a twin-engine aircraft renowned for fuel efficiency and lower operating costs. This shift allowed the airline to maintain competitive frequencies while reducing environmental impact. The fleet was uniformly painted in a distinctive livery featuring a dark blue tail and a stylised “M” logo, making Malmö Aviation easily recognisable at Swedish airports.

As a scheduled regional carrier, Malmö Aviation operated a high-frequency network from its two main bases: Malmö Airport and Stockholm Bromma Airport. The airline’s operational model was built around providing frequent, time-competitive services for domestic travellers, particularly between southern and central Sweden. It did not belong to any global airline alliance, preferring to remain independent and commercially flexible. However, it formed strategic partnerships with other regional operators to offer seamless ticketing and connectivity. Malmö Aviation also had a strong focus on punctuality and customer satisfaction, earning a reputation for reliable on-time performance. In 2011, the airline was awarded the “Best Regional Airline in Sweden” by the industry publication *World Airline Awards*, a testament to its consistent service quality. Another notable milestone was its pioneering role in using the Avro RJ series from Bromma, demonstrating that regional jets could operate effectively from a city-centre airport with a short runway.

After years of collaboration and operational integration, Malmö Aviation ceased to exist as a separate brand in 2016, with all flights subsequently operated under the Braathens Regional Airways name. The IATA code TF and ICAO code SCW were retired as the merged entity adopted new designators. Although the airline no longer operates independently, its legacy endures in the robust regional network that continues to serve Swedish domestic travellers. Malmö Aviation is remembered for its innovative use of the Avro RJ fleet, its strong presence at two distinctive airports, and its commitment to high-frequency, point-to-point service that prioritised convenience over hub-and-spoke complexity. The airline’s history stands as a chapter in the evolution of Swedish regional aviation, illustrating how a focused carrier can thrive by serving niche markets with reliability and efficiency.