Sweden Faces Steep Decline in Flight Accessibility since Pandemic, Threatening Economy
Sweden has suffered the largest drop in flight accessibility among EU countries since the pandemic, risking substantial economic impacts and prompting calls for government intervention to strengthen air travel and airport connectivity.
- • Sweden experienced a 32-33% drop in flight accessibility since 2019, the worst in the EU.
- • Arlanda Airport dropped to 19th in European rankings, with 19% lower connectivity than Copenhagen's Kastrup.
- • Economic losses due to reduced air travel could reach 1,700 billion kronor by 2050 if trends continue.
- • Stockholm Chamber calls on the government to abolish station fees and increase train departures to boost Arlanda's competitiveness.
Key details
Sweden has experienced the sharpest drop in flight accessibility across the European Union since the COVID-19 pandemic, with a 32-33% decrease in international flight routes since 2019. This decline has seen Sweden lose more international flight connections than any other EU country over the past six years, positioning it among the worst-ranked countries, alongside Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine (91707, 91710).
Stockholm's Arlanda Airport, a key hub for Sweden's export-driven economy, has fallen to 19th place in a ranking of major European airports, trailing behind Copenhagen's Kastrup by five positions. Moreover, Arlanda's flight accessibility is 19% lower than Kastrup's, reflecting a significant reduction in international connectivity and transfer options (91710).
The consequences of reduced air travel extend beyond inconvenience; industry experts warn of profound economic repercussions. Fredrik Kämpfe, head of aviation at Transportföretagen, estimates that declining flight availability has potentially cost Sweden between 192 and 303 billion kronor economically over the past two decades. Should this trend persist, societal economic losses could escalate to an estimated 1,700 billion kronor by 2050. He highlights that air travel is vital for Sweden’s growth and warns that increasing isolation risks economic stagnation (91707).
The Stockholm Chamber of Commerce underscores the urgency of reversing the trend. CEO Daniella Waldfogel points out that despite Stockholm's many promising global startups, poor flight accessibility threatens their international competitiveness. Chief economist Carl Bergkvist emphasizes that Sweden is lagging behind other nations improving their connectivity. The Chamber calls for swift government measures, including abolishing the commuter train station fee at Arlanda and increasing train departures, to enhance airport appeal and maintain Sweden's position relative to Nordic neighbors (91710).
While the government has initiated steps to boost the aviation sector's competitiveness, stakeholders assert that more decisive action is critical to revitalize domestic air travel and strengthen Arlanda Airport’s international standing. Reducing fees and facilitating better transport links could be key to restoring Sweden's connectivity and economic vitality (91707, 91710).