note

Braathens S.A.F.E. has taken its name from its founder Ludwig Braathens (Norwegian ocean shipping magnate) and acronym South America and Far East indicating scope of ad hoc cargo operations innitialy percieved. Airline was Ludwig's idea when he encountered problem with one of his ships being stuck in Jakarta with broken propeller. He had a replacement made and shipped via KLM, saving money and time compared to the alternative, towing the ship back to Norway. Airline's first flight was operated from Oslo via Copenhagen and Paris to Cairo with DC-4 military version C-54 Skymaster. Month later flight to Hong Kong was undertaken. Airline, although privately held within founding family, became sort of a flag carrier of Norway despite country's participation in SAS consortium. When in february 1998 Braathens S.A.F.E. decided to change name to Braathens, and also to change livery, and replace its traditonal Norweigan flag on the tails of its airplanes to stylized Aureala Boarelis, public outcry was such that airline had to reversed its decision! Innitialy, airline was flying worldwide cargo and passenger flights with DC-4's. 5 years of scheduled service in the early 50's to Hong Kong, showed how progressive Braathens was at that time. Airline also operated DC-6Bs and started charter flights to the Mediterranean resorsst in the 1960s.. In 1952 scheduled domestic flights were commenced with de Havilland Herons. In 1958 airline took delivery of its first Fokker F27 Friendship and thus became only second operator of the type in the world. First jet was delivered in 1969 a Boeing 737-200 and Fokker F-28 followed soon. Boeing 737's form core of the airline, which, today, operates primarily domestic network with tourist charter flights throughout Europe and the Mediterrenean. Braathens also took over Swedish carrier Transwede and formed its sister carrier Braathens Sverige that parallels its operations after Braathens in Sweden. In 2000 Braathens carried over 7 million passengers and had 4,600 employees. The airline Braathens was "Part of the SAS Group" until Integrated into SAS Braathens with effectivity from April 1st 2005.

founded - demised (age)

March 26 1946 - March 30 2005  (59)

headquarters

Oksenoyveien 3, Oslo Lufthavn, Oslo

web

english.braathens.no

base airports

ENFB Fornebu Oslo	hub
ENVA Værnes Trondheim	hub
ENZV Sola Stavanger	hub

related operators

SAS Braathens	successor
Transwede	acquired 1998
Malmö Aviation