Civilian air traffic officially began on 11 September 1944 at 14.47 however at 15.00 on Friday 9 September ABA’s DC 3 “Falken” was the first civilian aircraft to touch down at the Airport. This was because it was thought wise to carry out an unofficial test ahead of the formal ceremony. The pilot of this aircraft was the legendary Carl-Gustaf von Rosen.
Air travel had in fact begun at the airport a number of years earlier when the then Norrbotten flygbaskår (Norrbotten Air Force Wing) began operations in Luleå. The Civilian station area, including taxi runways and parking areas was officially opened in 1984 and marked a major step forward in the development of air traffic in Luleå.
Luleå Airport is Sweden’s fifth largest Airport with approximately one million passengers per year. The Airport is located in the municipality of Luleå only 7km from the city centre. Luleå is a regional centre in the county of Norrbotten and together with the neighbouring municipalities of Piteå, Älvsbyn, Boden and Kalix has a combined population of 167,000 all within 60 minutes travelling distance to the Airport.
Facts
• Fifth largest Airport in Sweden
• 1 066 839 passengers in 2011
• 74 240 charter and international passengers in 2011
• 5 routes
• Approx. 75 Swedavia employees
• Total number of people employed at the Airport is 1,100, of which 900 are employed by Ministry of Defence
• Approx. 6 scheduled airline companies
• Approx. 20 charter companies
Top Five Destinations 2011
Stockholm-Arlanda – Göteborg Landvetter – Umeå City Airport – Antalya Turkey- Canary Islands Spain
Top Three Airlines 2011
Scandinavian Airlines System – Norwegian, City Airlines
Top Three Aircraft 2011
Boeing 737 – MD 82 – Embarer 146
Movements 2011
(take offs and landings)
Total: 13,578
International: 544
Domestic: 13,034
Cargo 2011
Air cargo operator at Luleå Airport: Swedavia AB
Number of terminals
• 1 passenger terminal
• 5 gates
• Approx. 9 parking spaces for passenger and cargo aircraft
Cargo terminal
Yes
Runways
1 (140/320)