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In 1931, the area started to be used as a military airbase. In 1976, the airport, bought by the city, started to be used for civilian flights; the first route was by Scandinavian Airlines to Copenhagen.[citation needed]
In 2001, Ryanair started flights, the first route led to London Stansted. In 2006, Ryanair left the airport, but returned again in 2007. The same year, Scandinavian Airlines ended their flights from Västerås.[citation needed]
The airport played an important role during the 2014 Västmanland wildfire, serving as a base for water bombers and rescue helicopters.
On 13 May 2020, the Västerås city council decided to close down the airport, stating that the airport company should end all activities no later than 31 December 2022. This was due to annual losses and the need for annual financing from the city, worsened by the coronavirus outbreak.[2] A local referendum was held on the matter on 21 March 2021, with the result that scheduled air traffic shall not end.[3]
General aviation
The airport has extensive general-aviation traffic. Of the 17,737 landings in 2014, 94% constituted general aviation, according to the Swedish CAA (Transportstyrelsen). This includes hospital flights, flight training, private flights, corporate flights and air taxi.[4] A multitude of operators are based at the airport; among these are maintenance workshops, helicopter businesses, flight schools, flight clubs and an aviation museum.
Airlines and destinations
The following airlines operate regular scheduled and charter flights at Stockholm Västerås Airport:
