Ryanair to open base in Sweden

Ryanair has expanded rapidly across Europe

Low-cost airline Ryanair is to open its ninth European base at Stockholm's Skavsta airport.

The SAS high fares monopoly in the Scandinavian market is at an end

Michael O'Leary, Ryanair

The move will create 200 jobs and put further pressure on loss-making Scandinavian flag carrier SAS.

It will also boost the number of routes Ryanair operates from Scandinavia, where it has so far been virtually the only low-cost carrier.

Ryanair has expanded rapidly by undercutting traditional full-service airlines, giving away seats in marketing campaigns and flying to less expensive airports.

New routes

From 4 April, the no-frills airline will base up to four aircraft at Skavsta, which is owned by British airport operator TBI.

It expects to operate more than 30 flights a day on six new routes to Aarhus, Glasgow, Hamburg, Paris, Oslo and Tampere in Finland - in addition to its existing routes to London Stansted and Frankfurt.

Announcing the move, Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary said: "The SAS high fares monopoly in the Scandinavian market is at an end."

Skavsta Chief Executive Dot Gade Kulovuori said: "We have hoped very long for this decision and we are very glad they chose Skavsta out of the competing airports."