Arlanda Air Base (Stockholm-Arlanda flygplats)

Summary

Operating Country 🇸🇪 Sweden
Location 🇸🇪 Sweden
Status Active
UsageDual
Year built1959
Operating OrganizationSwedavia
Units
  • Scandinavian Airlines
  • PopulAir
  • Eurowings
  • Norwegian Air Sweden
  • Ryanair

Description

Stockholm Arlanda Airport is located in Sigtuna Municipality, Stockholm County, 37 km north of Stockholm and 40 km southeast of Uppsala. The facility was first utilized in 1959 for practice flights and opened for limited traffic in 1960. It was officially inaugurated on 1 April 1962 by King Gustaf VI Adolf. The base was established to accommodate intercontinental traffic, with early operations involving Douglas DC-8 aircraft. In 1983, domestic traffic was relocated to the site from Bromma Airport.

The airport is operated by Swedavia. It serves as a hub for Scandinavian Airlines and PopulAir, and functions as an operating base for Eurowings, Norwegian Air Sweden, and Ryanair. Cargo operations are centered in the Cargo City area, which hosts facilities for DHL, FedEx, UPS, and West Air Sweden. Cargo units utilize a variety of aircraft, including Boeing 747 freighters and Antonov An-124 transport aircraft.

Infrastructure includes four operational terminals and a central concourse designated as Sky City. Terminal 5 contains three piers, identified as D, E, and F. The airfield features three runways. Runways 1 and 3 are parallel and support independent simultaneous take-offs and landings. The facility is equipped with Category III instrument landing systems and deicing areas. The base is capable of hosting aircraft types including the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-8.

Maintenance and technical facilities are situated throughout the airport property. SAS Technical Services is headquartered at the site and maintains hangars capable of servicing widebody aircraft up to the size of the Boeing 747-400. TUI fly Nordic and Priority Aero Maintenance also operate hangars, the former supporting the Boeing 787-9. Helicopter maintenance and repair services are provided by Patria Helicopters in the eastern section of the airport. Additional infrastructure includes a flight simulator center operated by Oxford Aviation Academy. Ground transportation is supported by three rail stations on the Arlanda Line, providing connections for regional and high-speed rail services.

Location & Details

Map of Arlanda Air Base
Coordinates59.6519°N, 17.9186°E
Elevation42 m (138 ft)
IATA codeARN
ICAO codeESSA
Runways
  • 01L/19R [Asphalt]
  • 01R/19L [Asphalt]
  • 08/26 [Asphalt]
Wikipedia and other open sources. Last updated on 19 January 2026