Braathens Regional Airways
A Swedish regional airline providing aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance services for Braathens Regional Airlines, together with selected charter operations.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Braathens Regional Airways AB is a Swedish regional aviation company whose principal role is to provide ACMI services—aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance—for its sister company, Braathens Regional Airlines. Rather than operating a broad independent network under its own commercial brand, the airline supplies the operational capacity used by the wider BRA network, including domestic Swedish services and occasional charter flying. The company traces its origins to Golden Air Flyg AB, which was registered in September 1976. Its early activities included air-taxi and charter operations. The business underwent changes in ownership and structure before being reorganized under its later ownership in August 1993, subsequently commencing operations on 15 August 1993. For many years it was wholly owned by the shipping company Erik Thun. In March 2007, the airline was reported to have 56 employees. A significant change came in 2012, when Golden Air was acquired by Braathens Aviation. Around the same period, the main Trollhättan–Stockholm Bromma route was transferred to Sverigeflyg, while the Golden Air name continued to be associated with the Bromma service. On 1 January 2013, the company changed its corporate name to Braathens Regional, although the Golden Air commercial name was retained for the Trollhättan route. In March 2016, the company adopted the name Braathens Regional Airways. It then worked together with Braathens Regional Aviation to operate flights for the virtual airline BRA, or Braathens Regional Airlines. This arrangement brought together operations previously associated with Malmö Aviation and Sverigeflyg under a common commercial identity. The Airways entity therefore became primarily an operating and capacity-provision platform within the group rather than a separately marketed network airline. The airline has maintenance facilities supporting its turboprop fleet. Its ATR 72 maintenance base is at Ängelholm–Helsingborg Airport, while its Saab 2000 base is at Umeå Airport. The company does not maintain a separate destination network of its own; destinations and schedules are determined through the operations of its sister company, Braathens Regional Airlines. Its role is consequently best understood as that of a Swedish regional airline operator and ACMI provider, with domestic passenger flying and ad hoc charter work forming the main areas of activity.
History
Braathens Regional Airways originated as Golden Air Flyg AB, registered in September 1976. The business initially operated air-taxi and charter services, placing it within Sweden's regional and specialist aviation sector rather than the country's large scheduled-airline market. After organizational and ownership changes, it was restructured under its later ownership in August 1993 and began operations on 15 August of that year. For an extended period, the company was wholly owned by Erik Thun, a Swedish shipping group. Its activities included regional passenger flying, charter work and aviation support, and the company reported a workforce of 56 employees in March 2007. The airline's operational identity later became closely connected with the consolidation of Swedish regional air services under the Braathens Aviation group. Braathens Aviation acquired Golden Air in 2012. The transaction was followed by a reorganization of route responsibilities: the principal Trollhättan–Bromma service was taken over by Sverigeflyg, while Golden Air retained its name in connection with that route. On 1 January 2013, Golden Air changed its corporate name to Braathens Regional. This marked the company's transition from its historic Golden Air identity into the Braathens regional-airline structure. In March 2016, the company was renamed Braathens Regional Airways. Alongside Braathens Regional Aviation, it became an operating provider for BRA Braathens Regional Airlines, a virtual airline that brought together the previously separate Malmö Aviation and Sverigeflyg brands. The new arrangement separated the commercial airline identity from the operating entity: Braathens Regional Airlines presented the customer-facing network, while Braathens Regional Airways supplied aircraft and operational services. The airline's current role is centered on ACMI operations, in which it provides aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance for its sister company. It also performs ad hoc charter services. It does not publish a wholly independent destination network, since its flying is conducted within the wider operations of Braathens Regional Airlines. Its principal technical infrastructure includes an ATR 72 maintenance base at Ängelholm–Helsingborg Airport and a Saab 2000 base at Umeå Airport. The company is headquartered at Stockholm Bromma Airport and remains focused on Swedish regional aviation rather than long-haul or broad international scheduled services.
- 2016
Renamed Braathens Regional Airways
[1]In March, the company adopted the Braathens Regional Airways name and began operating flights with Braathens Regional Aviation for BRA Braathens Regional Airlines.
- 2013
Renamed Braathens Regional
[1]On 1 January, Golden Air changed its corporate name to Braathens Regional while retaining the Golden Air name for the Trollhättan–Bromma route.
- 2012
Acquired by Braathens Aviation
[1]Golden Air was acquired by Braathens Aviation, beginning its integration into the Braathens regional-airline structure.
- 2007
Reported workforce
[1]The company was reported to have 56 employees in March 2007.
- 1993
Reorganization and start of operations
[1]The airline was restructured under its later ownership in August and commenced operations on 15 August 1993.
- 1976
Golden Air Flyg AB registered
[1]The company was registered in Sweden in September 1976 under the name Golden Air Flyg AB and began with air-taxi and charter activities.
Products and positioning
Swedish regional aviation operator and ACMI provider supporting the Braathens Regional Airlines network.
Airline operating services
ACMI services
The company's central offering is ACMI provision for Braathens Regional Airlines. Under this model, Braathens Regional Airways supplies the aircraft, flight crew, maintenance capability and insurance needed to operate scheduled regional services. The arrangement makes the airline an operating partner behind the customer-facing BRA brand rather than a fully independent network planner.
Passenger air transport
Domestic regional passenger operations
Braathens Regional Airways operates regional passenger flights within Sweden on behalf of its sister company. It does not maintain a separate destination portfolio of its own; routes and schedules are part of the wider Braathens Regional Airlines operation. Its role is focused on connecting Swedish regional markets using turboprop aircraft and associated operating bases.
Charter air transport
Ad hoc charter services
In addition to scheduled regional work, the airline provides occasional charter services. These flights complement its ACMI activities and use the company's regional-aircraft operating capabilities for non-regular missions when required.
Aircraft maintenance
Regional aircraft maintenance support
The company maintains technical facilities supporting its regional fleet. Its ATR 72 maintenance base is located at Ängelholm–Helsingborg Airport, while its Saab 2000 base is at Umeå Airport. These bases support the aircraft used in the airline's regional operating role.
Brand decisions
2016
Transition to Braathens Regional Airways and group operating roleStrategyBackground
Braathens Aviation was consolidating regional airline activities that had previously been associated with Malmö Aviation and Sverigeflyg.
Action taken
The company changed its name to Braathens Regional Airways and, together with Braathens Regional Aviation, operated flights for BRA Braathens Regional Airlines.
Aftermath
The company became primarily an operating and ACMI provider behind the BRA commercial airline identity, rather than an independently marketed network carrier.
2013
Adoption of the Braathens Regional corporate identityStrategyBackground
Following Braathens Aviation's acquisition of Golden Air in 2012 and changes to the Trollhättan–Bromma route, the company needed to align its corporate identity with the wider Braathens regional-airline structure.
Action taken
On 1 January 2013, Golden Air changed its corporate name to Braathens Regional, while the Golden Air name continued to be used for the Trollhättan route.
Aftermath
The change prepared the company for its later role as an operating entity within the BRA regional-airline organization.
Sources2 sources
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