Stockholm will receive its first direct route to Tokyo in over 30 years when All Nippon Airways (ANA) launches services in the summer of 2020.

The Stockholm Arlanda – Tokyo Haneda will provide faster links to one of Sweden’s most important export markets in Asia.

As a major export market, about 150 Swedish companies have operations in Japan and Sweden is Japan’s largest Nordic export market, with 160 companies having operations in Sweden.

Jonas Abrahamsson, CEO of airport operator Swedavia says: “Japan is one of Sweden’s most important trade partners, and we have recently seen significant Japanese investment in Sweden. The new direct route has long been sought by Swedish export companies, and it will also boost the Swedish tourism industry.”

The launch date of Stockholm flights has not been announced yet.

ANA will increase services from Tokyo Haneda, with new routes and other services being relocated from Narita airport.

The new routes will serve Shenzhen, China; Milan, Italy; Moscow, Russia; Istanbul, Turkey; in addition to Stockholm.

Routes to Delhi, India; Houston, Los Angeles, San Jose, Seattle and Washington DC will be relocated from Narita.