A Nordic airline is navigating a sudden upheaval after Braathens filed for bankruptcy protection for parts of its business, a move that immediately affects charter operators Ving and Apollo. The company’s decision centers on shutting down the Airbus-related unit that has carried charter passengers for the Nordic travel giants for years. The aim had been a gradual wind-down, but ongoing financial pressures left Braathens with little choice but to pivot toward a leaner, long-term profitable core.
Immediate impact on Ving and Apollo
In practical terms, Braathens is cancelling all charter flights arranged for tour operators. Apollo’s press team confirms they are resolving the gap by arranging replacements on a day-by-day basis while they work on longer-term winter solutions. “We take it flight by flight right now,” says Martina Krantz, Apollo’s head of press relations, underscoring the urgency of the situation for travellers booked on these services.
Braathens accounted for roughly 20 percent of Apollo’s Nordic flight capacity. From Sweden alone, the week’s programme included eight planned Braathens departures. To date, nearly all of these have been replaced with alternative carriers or re-timed schedules. Apollo emphasizes that customers will be contacted as soon as replacements or refunds are confirmed, providing a critical bridge for those affected while the industry recalibrates.
How Braathens’ restructuring affects Ving
Ving’s reliance on Braathens has been strongest for departures from smaller Swedish airports such as Borlänge, Umeå and Luleå, with additional flights occasionally from Stockholm and Gothenburg. The abrupt bankruptcy filing raises questions about the winter schedule, and Ving’s management says they are prioritising short-term continuity. Claes Pellvik, Ving’s communications chief, notes that some early morning departures from Norway and Denmark were among the earliest flights to be salvaged, but warns that the longer-range winter lineup may still face adjustments.
”The near-term trips—those within the next two weeks—are where we feel most confident about finding workable solutions,” Pellvik adds. “For winter travel, we’ll need to reassess and may face occasional cancellations. If that happens, customers will get refunds.”
What travellers should know
For people with upcoming bookings through Ving or Apollo that involve Braathens-operated legs, the airlines say the recovery process is in motion. Passengers should expect direct outreach from the tour operators with new flight options or refunds. In many cases, replacement flights are being sourced from other carriers with similar schedules, aiming to minimize disruption for holiday plans and business travel alike.
Why this matters for the wider market
The Braathens development highlights the fragility of reliance on a single partner for charter capacity, especially during periods of financial stress. For customer advocates and regulators, it underscores the need for clear consumer protections when part of a bundled travel product is disrupted. Travel operators insist they are maintaining transparent communication and are prepared to step in quickly to arrange alternative travel or to issue refunds where required.
Looking ahead to winter and beyond
Approximately 200 Braathens employees—primarily pilots and cabin crew—are affected by the bankruptcy filing. The industry will be watching closely as Braathens evaluates which routes and aircraft types remain viable, while Ving and Apollo seek sustainable substitutes for the remainder of their winter schedules. Passengers should stay tuned for updates from their travel operators, including timelines for replacements and details about refunds if a flight cannot be rescheduled in time.
Bottom line
Braathens’ decision to close its Airbus-based charter operations has immediate consequences for Ving, Apollo, and the thousands of travelers booked on affected flights. While replacements are being arranged and refunds offered where necessary, the incident serves as a reminder of the sensitivity of charter operations to financial shocks and the importance of proactive contingency planning in the travel industry.
