Braathens

Braathens is a Norwegian airline formed in 1946. For many years, Braathens was known as Braathens SAFE, the latter part being an acronym standing for South American and Far East, which is exactly the destinations Braathens were serving in the beginning. The company was founded by Norwegian ship owner Ludvig Braathen, with the intention of serving his ships in other parts of the world.

But when the Scandinavian Airlines System was set up in 1951, it was given a monopoly on international flights originating and operating from Scandinavia. Via an agreement with Icelandic airline Loftleidir that lasted for 10 years, Braathens could, with Icelandic concessions, operate their DC-4 routes from Europe to the US, via Iceland.

When Braathens applied for a renewed concession for the Far Eastern route in 1954, they were turned down, and Braathens was forced to rebuild the airline's structure to turn it into a successful domestic-only airline.

Soon after the jet age began, Braathens acquired some different types of jet aircraft, and in 1989, they were allowed once again to fly international routes in addition to the domestic ones. Apart from their regular flights, they also operate as a charter airline. In 1996, Braathens took over Transwede , and in 1998, Malmo Aviation .

That was also the year when Braathens formed an alliance with KLM and Northwest Airlines. Alitalia was supposed to also join that alliance, but later decided not to. In 2001, Braathens was bought by the Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS), although they were able to keep operating under their name. That year also, Braathens dropped the SAFE from their name, and the company was known as Braathens until 2004, when it merged its operations in Norway with SAS, forming SAS Braathens. The Braathen family still own the Swedish airline Malmö Aviation, which were separated from Braathens as a result of the takeover by SAS. Braathens was known as "The Norwegian Flag Carrier," and stands as an own chapter in Norwegian aviation history.

External links

• SAS Braathens
• Braathens history