New Regional Airline Plans Launch With Rare Saab 2000 Turboprop

A new Scandinavian airline is preparing to take to the skies, and aviation enthusiasts may want to pay attention — not just because it’s a new carrier, but because of the unusual aircraft it plans to operate.

Skåne Aviation, a newly established Swedish regional airline, is preparing to begin scheduled passenger services between Malmö Airport and Stockholm Bromma. The first flights are expected to launch on 12 April 2026, with an intensive initial schedule aimed largely at business travellers.

A rare airliner for passengers

What makes the airline especially interesting for aviation fans is its aircraft choice. Rather than using modern regional jets, Skåne Aviation will operate the Saab 2000, a fast 50-seat turboprop built in Sweden during the 1990s.

The Saab 2000 is capable of speeds close to regional jets while retaining the efficiency of turboprop engines, and was designed to carry around 50–58 passengers. Production ended in 1999 after only 63 aircraft were built, leaving it a rare sight in airline service today.

Only a small number remain active worldwide, making the aircraft something of a cult favourite among aviation enthusiasts.

Aircraft leased from Frost Air

Photo (c) Frost

The new airline will operate using aircraft supplied by Danish charter specialist Frost Air, which holds the operating certificate for the flights. At least two Saab 2000 aircraft are expected to be dedicated to the venture.

One of the aircraft likely to be used is believed to be OY-FSC, a Saab 2000 currently operated by Frost.

Reviving a key regional route

The Malmö–Bromma route is expected to be the airline’s initial focus, with plans for up to 44 flights per week at launch and ambitions to grow further as demand builds. The flight time is around 65 minutes, offering a fast connection between southern Sweden and the Stockholm region.

The airline’s founders hope the service will help revitalise traffic at Bromma Airport, which has seen passenger numbers fall sharply in recent years after many airlines shifted operations to Stockholm Arlanda.

A rare opportunity for aviation fans

For travellers and plane spotters alike, Skåne Aviation’s launch offers something unusual: a chance to fly on one of the few remaining passenger Saab 2000 aircraft still in operation. With so few airlines still using the type, it could quickly become a bucket-list experience for avgeeks keen to ride one of the fastest turboprops ever built.

Have you ever flown on a Saab 2000? Leave a comment below!