Aviation News – Swedish regional carrier BRA has announced plans to retire its Airbus aircraft and shut down subsidiary Braathens International Airways, shifting fully to operations with its ATR72-600 fleet.
The decision comes a year after earlier restructuring measures and reflects the airline’s strategy to streamline operations and focus on its most efficient aircraft type. BRA will continue flying with 17 ATR72-600 turboprops, which will be deployed primarily under ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, insurance) contracts for other carriers. Current leasing partners include Austrian Airlines and SAS.
- Retirement of Airbus aircraft from the active fleet
- Closure of subsidiary Braathens International Airways
- Focus on regional ATR72-600 turboprop operations
- Expansion of ACMI leasing agreements with major airlines
The ATR72-600’s efficiency and versatility make it well suited for regional routes and contract flying. By concentrating on this fleet, BRA strengthens its position as a niche ACMI provider while reducing costs linked to maintaining multiple aircraft types.
“This step allows us to focus on what we do best – providing reliable and efficient regional capacity for our partners while simplifying our own operations,” the airline said in a statement.
The streamlined model aligns with broader trends in the European regional airline market, where carriers increasingly turn to specialized leasing agreements. For BRA, the shift signals a long-term commitment to ATR operations and an expanded role in supporting major European network airlines.
With this move, BRA positions itself as a flexible and efficient capacity provider, leveraging its ATR fleet to remain competitive in a challenging aviation market.
Photo Rob Vogelaar
