Q&A: What you need to know about the flight suspension between Sweden and the UK
Following the announcement that all direct flights between the UK and Sweden will be suspended from April 9th, The Local received several questions from readers and put these questions to the British Embassy in Stockholm. Here's what you need to know.
All commercial flights between Sweden and the UK will be suspended from the afternoon of Thursday April 9th until further notice, after British Airways -- the last airline still flying a Sweden-UK route -- announced that it would pause these flights.
The British Ambassador to Sweden, Judith Gough, said: "British travellers in Sweden should return to the UK while commercial options remain available. British nationals who are resident in Sweden should follow the advice of the Swedish authorities.
"I know this is a difficult time, particularly for those of us living overseas who are separated from our loved ones. We do not know how long the current situation will last, but my Embassy team will endeavour to keep British nationals in Sweden informed of any changes."
Here are the embassy's answers to your questions:
Does the stop on April 9th affect all airlines?
British Airways has taken the decision to suspend direct flights between the UK and Sweden from April 9th. Direct flights from all other airlines have already been suspended. These decisions have been taken by the airlines themselves.
Will it still be possible to fly between Sweden and the UK via other destinations after April 9th?
After April 9th you may still be able to travel to the UK from Sweden indirectly.
However, individual airlines and governments are having to make decisions rapidly, so this may change. We recommend that those wishing to travel contact their airline or travel operator to confirm arrangements and schedules.
What should passengers do if they are unable to book on one of the flights before April 9th but want to return to the UK?
Passengers wishing to return to the UK are advised to contact their airline or travel operator urgently to make travel arrangements. This is a fast moving situation -- airlines are best placed to provide information about flight schedules.
UK special charter flights will only operate for priority countries where commercial flights are not possible. Passengers wishing to return to the UK should not assume that special charter flights will become available in Sweden.
How will trade and post between Sweden and the UK be affected by the stop to flights, if at all?
The decision to suspend direct fights between the UK and Sweden affects passenger flights.
Both the Swedish and British governments believe it is vital that trade continues between our two nations, and we continue to work together to facilitate this.
Is there any indication of when flights between Sweden and the UK will resume?
The decision to suspend direct flights between the UK and Sweden has been made by the airlines. The airlines will be best placed to advise when direct routes may resume. The British Embassy in Stockholm will endeavour to provide timely updates via our travel advice and social media channels.
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All commercial flights between Sweden and the UK will be suspended from the afternoon of Thursday April 9th until further notice, after British Airways -- the last airline still flying a Sweden-UK route -- announced that it would pause these flights.
The British Ambassador to Sweden, Judith Gough, said: "British travellers in Sweden should return to the UK while commercial options remain available. British nationals who are resident in Sweden should follow the advice of the Swedish authorities.
"I know this is a difficult time, particularly for those of us living overseas who are separated from our loved ones. We do not know how long the current situation will last, but my Embassy team will endeavour to keep British nationals in Sweden informed of any changes."
Here are the embassy's answers to your questions:
Does the stop on April 9th affect all airlines?
British Airways has taken the decision to suspend direct flights between the UK and Sweden from April 9th. Direct flights from all other airlines have already been suspended. These decisions have been taken by the airlines themselves.
Will it still be possible to fly between Sweden and the UK via other destinations after April 9th?
After April 9th you may still be able to travel to the UK from Sweden indirectly.
However, individual airlines and governments are having to make decisions rapidly, so this may change. We recommend that those wishing to travel contact their airline or travel operator to confirm arrangements and schedules.
What should passengers do if they are unable to book on one of the flights before April 9th but want to return to the UK?
Passengers wishing to return to the UK are advised to contact their airline or travel operator urgently to make travel arrangements. This is a fast moving situation -- airlines are best placed to provide information about flight schedules.
UK special charter flights will only operate for priority countries where commercial flights are not possible. Passengers wishing to return to the UK should not assume that special charter flights will become available in Sweden.
How will trade and post between Sweden and the UK be affected by the stop to flights, if at all?
The decision to suspend direct fights between the UK and Sweden affects passenger flights.
Both the Swedish and British governments believe it is vital that trade continues between our two nations, and we continue to work together to facilitate this.
Is there any indication of when flights between Sweden and the UK will resume?
The decision to suspend direct flights between the UK and Sweden has been made by the airlines. The airlines will be best placed to advise when direct routes may resume. The British Embassy in Stockholm will endeavour to provide timely updates via our travel advice and social media channels.
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