PopulAir

PopulAir is a Swedish regional airline based in Stockholm and historically known as Amapola Flyg. The company was established in 2004 and began operations by taking over postal air services previously performed by Falcon Air. Its early business was therefore centered on air freight rather than scheduled passenger travel. Amapola operated postal and logistics flights for the Swedish postal service, Jetpak and MiniLiner, using Stockholm Arlanda Airport as its principal base and also operating freight services from Maastricht Aachen Airport. From 2004 through 2019, it was the exclusive operator of the Swedish postal service’s airfreight network. The airline expanded into scheduled passenger operations in 2018. On 1 July 2018, it began regional passenger flights in Sweden. The move followed the failure of Nextjet, after which the Swedish Transport Administration announced that Amapola would take over several public service obligation routes serving northern Sweden. These routes connected smaller communities in Norrland with larger regional and national transport hubs, including Stockholm Arlanda. Public service obligation flying became an important part of the airline’s role because it maintained air links that might not be commercially viable without government-supported contracts. Amapola also undertook passenger operations outside Sweden. In April 2021, it began flying between Helsinki-Vantaa and Joensuu on behalf of Finland’s transport authority, Traficom. Between July 2021 and February 2022, it operated the Dublin–Donegal public service obligation route after the collapse of Stobart Air. These assignments demonstrated the airline’s ability to provide regional services under contract for public authorities and to deploy its turboprop fleet on short-haul routes. The company remained closely associated with the Fokker 50, a turboprop aircraft suited to regional passenger and cargo missions. The fleet described for the PopulAir operation consists of 12 Fokker 50 aircraft, including seven passenger-configured aircraft and five cargo aircraft. This mixed fleet reflects the company’s origins in postal logistics as well as its later development as a regional passenger carrier. The airline has been described as wholly owned by the Swedish investment company Salenia and as having approximately 50 employees, although staffing and fleet figures can change over time. In October 2023, the airline changed its public name from Amapola Flyg to PopulAir as part of a rebranding program. The new identity included a green-and-white livery applied to its Fokker 50 aircraft. The rebrand did not represent a change of subject or a move away from its established regional operating model; rather, it repositioned the company under a new consumer-facing name while it continued serving domestic and contracted regional routes. The Swedish Transport Administration awarded the airline another contract in October 2023 covering domestic flights on twelve routes for the 2023–2027 period. The announced network included services such as Gällivare–Kramfors–Arlanda and Hemavan–Arvidsjaur–Vilhelmina–Lycksele–Arlanda. In October 2024, PopulAir moved its Arlanda operations to Terminal 3. Its business remains defined by regional connectivity, government-supported routes, passenger services to smaller communities, and cargo operations using a specialized turboprop fleet.

PopulAir originated as Amapola Flyg AB, a Swedish airline established in 2004 to assume postal flying previously handled by Falcon Air. Its initial operating model was cargo-oriented. The airline provided freight services for the Swedish postal service and logistics companies including Jetpak and MiniLiner, with Stockholm Arlanda serving as its main base and Maastricht Aachen Airport also used for freight operations. Amapola remained the exclusive operator of the Swedish postal service’s air transport network from 2004 until 2019. The company later diversified into passenger aviation. On 1 July 2018, Amapola began regional passenger services in Sweden. The expansion occurred shortly after Nextjet’s bankruptcy, which disrupted a number of regional routes. In June 2018, the Swedish Transport Administration announced that Amapola would assume several public service obligation routes to Norrland. These services were designed to preserve air connectivity for communities in northern Sweden and linked smaller airports with larger centers, particularly Stockholm Arlanda. Amapola’s contracted regional role extended beyond Sweden. In April 2021, the airline began operating between Helsinki-Vantaa and Joensuu for Traficom, Finland’s transport authority. Later that year it took over the Dublin–Donegal public service obligation route after the collapse of Stobart Air. Amapola operated that Irish service from July 2021 until February 2022. The airline’s fleet and operating model retained a strong connection to the Fokker 50. The aircraft type could be configured for both passenger and cargo missions, allowing the company to preserve its logistics business while expanding scheduled regional flying. The reported fleet consists of twelve Fokker 50 aircraft: seven configured for passengers and five for cargo. The company has been described as wholly owned by Salenia, a Swedish investment company, and as employing about 50 people. In October 2023, Amapola Flyg rebranded as PopulAir. The change included a green-and-white livery and gave the passenger operation a new public identity while maintaining the airline’s regional and contracted-service focus. During the same period, the Swedish Transport Administration awarded the airline a further contract covering twelve domestic routes for 2023–2027. Examples of the announced routes include Gällivare–Kramfors–Arlanda and a multi-stop service linking Hemavan, Arvidsjaur, Vilhelmina and Lycksele with Arlanda. In October 2024, PopulAir relocated its Arlanda operations to Terminal 3. The airline’s development therefore spans three connected activities: postal and commercial cargo flying, scheduled regional passenger transport, and government-supported public service obligation operations. Its identity changed from Amapola Flyg to PopulAir, but its core role as a small Nordic regional operator remained consistent.

• 2024

  Arlanda terminal relocation

  [1]PopulAiren.wikipedia.org

  PopulAir moves its Stockholm Arlanda operations to Terminal 3 in October.

• 2023

  Rebrand to PopulAir

  [1]PopulAiren.wikipedia.org

  Amapola Flyg changes its name to PopulAir and introduces a green-and-white aircraft livery.

• 2023

  Award of twelve-route Swedish contract

  [1]PopulAiren.wikipedia.org

  The Swedish Transport Administration awards PopulAir a contract for twelve domestic routes covering 2023–2027.

• 2021

  Finnish regional service begins

  [1]PopulAiren.wikipedia.org

  Amapola starts operating Helsinki-Vantaa–Joensuu flights for Traficom in April.

• 2021

  Irish public service route begins

  [1]PopulAiren.wikipedia.org

  Amapola begins operating Dublin–Donegal in July after Stobart Air’s collapse.

• 2019

  End of exclusive Swedish postal operation

  [1]PopulAiren.wikipedia.org

  Amapola’s period as the exclusive operator of Swedish postal air services ends after 2004–2019.

• 2018

  Entry into Swedish passenger aviation

  [1]PopulAiren.wikipedia.org

  Amapola begins regional passenger flights in Sweden on 1 July.

• 2018

  Northern Swedish route takeover

  [1]PopulAiren.wikipedia.org

  The Swedish Transport Administration selects Amapola to take over several public service obligation routes to Norrland after Nextjet’s bankruptcy.

• 2004

  Amapola Flyg is established

  [1]PopulAiren.wikipedia.org

  Amapola Flyg AB is established and begins operations by taking over postal air services previously operated by Falcon Air.

A specialist Nordic regional airline focused on connecting smaller communities, operating public service obligation routes, and combining passenger flying with cargo and postal services.

• Passenger air transport · 2018

  Regional passenger services

  PopulAir operates short-haul regional passenger flights, primarily within Sweden and on selected Nordic routes. Its network has included links between smaller northern communities and Stockholm Arlanda, where the airline maintains its principal base. The service model is suited to markets where smaller turboprop aircraft provide more practical capacity than larger jet aircraft.

• Contracted regional aviation · 2018

  Public service obligation routes

  A central part of PopulAir’s passenger business is the operation of government-supported public service obligation routes. These services preserve scheduled air links for communities whose traffic volumes may not support purely commercial operations. Swedish contracts have covered routes in Norrland and have included multi-stop regional itineraries connecting northern airports with Stockholm Arlanda.

• Air cargo · 2004

  Postal and air cargo services

  The company began as a postal and freight operator and has continued to maintain cargo capability alongside passenger flying. It has operated services for the Swedish postal service, Jetpak and MiniLiner. Cargo operations use dedicated or cargo-configured Fokker 50 aircraft, enabling the airline to serve logistics markets with a fleet type also used for passenger missions.

• Aircraft-based airline operation · 2004

  Fokker 50 fleet operations

  The Fokker 50 is the principal aircraft associated with PopulAir. The reported fleet consists of twelve aircraft, including seven passenger aircraft and five cargo aircraft. The type’s turboprop configuration is appropriate for short regional sectors and smaller airports, while the mixed configuration supports the company’s combination of scheduled passenger, contracted regional and freight work.

• 2023PopulAir rebranding

  Sweden · Finland

  Amapola Flyg changed its public identity to PopulAir in October 2023 and introduced a green-and-white livery for its Fokker 50 aircraft.

  Outcome. The airline continued operating regional passenger and cargo services under the PopulAir name.

  Source

• 2023

  Corporate rebrand from Amapola Flyg to PopulAirStrategy

  Background

  The airline had operated under the Amapola Flyg name since its establishment in 2004.

  Action taken

  In October 2023, the company adopted the PopulAir name and launched a green-and-white aircraft livery.

  Aftermath

  The airline continued its regional passenger, public service obligation and cargo activities under the new brand.

  Source

• 2023

  Acceptance of twelve-route Swedish operating contractOther

  Background

  Northern Swedish communities depend on contracted air links where regular commercial demand may be limited.

  Action taken

  The Swedish Transport Administration awarded PopulAir a contract for twelve domestic routes for the 2023–2027 period.

  Aftermath

  The contract reinforced PopulAir’s role in maintaining regional air connectivity in Sweden.

  Source

• 2018

  Expansion from cargo into passenger aviationStrategy

  Background

  Amapola had built its business around postal and freight operations since 2004.

  Action taken

  The company began regional passenger services in Sweden on 1 July 2018.

  Aftermath

  Passenger flying became an additional core activity alongside cargo and postal operations.

  Source

1. 1PopulAiren.wikipedia.org
2. 2PopulAir official websiteamapola.nu