Response to interpellation 2024/25:664 on missing measures following the airport investigation
Translated from Swedish by AI; the translation may contain errors. The Swedish text is the original.
Summary AI, written in advance
The debate concerns the lack of measures following the airport investigation. KD argues that aviation is important for the economy and competitiveness 1. KD argues that the government has abolished the aviation tax, provided capital injections for security checks, and increased operational support for regional airports 1 2 3. KD argues that a new investigation should evaluate the state's role as owner and manager as well as the national basic supply 1 2. KD argues that individual airports cannot be withdrawn from the system without a new analysis of the security policy situation 3. S argues that the government is passive and avoids concrete proposals to secure flight routes and preparedness 4. S argues that the government has done nothing regarding the major long-term issues surrounding structure and ownership 5. S argues that the government should be able to break out specific parts of the airport investigation to secure airports in Västernorrland 5. S argues that uncertainty regarding flight routes hinders the business sector and that the government should take short-term measures to secure the financing 6.
Written by AI in advance and may contain errors. The numbers lead to the speech a statement builds on; check against the text below.
Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)
Madam Speaker! Peter Hedberg has asked me if I intend to present any proposals based on the conclusions in the memorandum Ds 2023:3 and, if so, when. He has also asked whether the government intends to appoint a new airport investigation and what aspects it should investigate in that case.
Let me initially emphasize that aviation is an important part of the transport system. In Sweden, which has long distances and many sparsely populated areas, aviation is important for domestic travel. It also has great significance for Sweden's economy, competitiveness, and openness towards the rest of the world.
The government has taken several important measures to strengthen aviation's competitiveness and improve the conditions for good accessibility by air. I can mention, as an example, the abolition of the aviation tax on July 1 this year, but also a capital injection of just over 1 billion kronor to cover the airports' costs for security checks. The purpose is to counteract fee increases.
As Peter Hedberg correctly points out, a letter investigator reported in February 2023 the so-called airport investigation in the memorandum State's responsibility for the Swedish airport system – For accessibility and readiness (Ds 2023:3).
The government has implemented several of the proposals presented in the investigation. For example, the government took the initiative to increase the state grant to municipalities and regions for operating support for non-state airports. The government also decided in December 2023 to appoint an Arlanda Coordinator with the mandate to investigate and propose measures for the infrastructure and transport system to and from Arlanda Airport. The coordinator presented their assignment in early June this year.
Regarding the airport investigation's proposal on a potential expanded national base supply, the government decided on May 28 to task a special investigator with investigating and evaluating both the state's role as owner and manager of airports and the national base supply, but also to analyze issues linked to the function of Bromma Airport. The investigator shall, among other things, evaluate the purpose and function of the national base supply and submit proposals on which airports the state should be responsible for in the future, either in the form of a national base supply or in another form.
The investigator shall also, for example, analyze the proposals' economic and competitive consequences for Swedavia AB but also assess the proposals' impact on local and regional development.
The investigator shall report on the assignment no later than 30 September 2026.
Peter Hedberg (S)
Madam Speaker! In a previous debate, the Minister for Justice chose to quote a Center Party member from Ångermanland. I will not question Minister Carlson on what the Minister for Justice said. However, I shall remind the Minister that he himself actually quoted a Center Party member from Ångermanland when we debated this issue quite precisely one year ago. The message then was that the government did not want to let this linger.
In this interpellation, which I submitted before the summer, the question was asked whether the government intends to appoint a new inquiry because such rumors circulated this spring. That question is outdated; the government has appointed a new inquiry, and it is to be completed next year, on September 30. I am, admittedly, very hopeful that we will be in the midst of a change of government then, but I do not think it is good for either Västernorrland or other regional airports in Sweden that the government continues to avoid presenting concrete proposals to secure flight routes, preparedness, and accessibility throughout the country.
Madam Speaker! The regional airports do not only serve the function of transporting, for example, Members of Parliament to Stockholm, but also several other important functions. In Västernorrland, we have, as the Minister surely knows, three airports. They are all crucial for good accessibility to both Stockholm, Europe, and the world.
Business and defense are dependent on well-functioning flight routes, in our case not least because we are still waiting for the Prime Minister to follow through on the promise he made that there shall be a completed double track on the Ostkustbanan by 2035.
Regarding aviation, the government has had Peter Norman's investigation report at the Government Offices for two and a half years. The announcement has been that the aviation infrastructure shall be handled collectively. But when the new investigation is completed in September next year, much more time will have passed than the time that has already passed. I think this is regrettable, because the government had a number of proposals regarding Sundsvall Timrå Airport and also Örnsköldsvik Airport regarding reformed financing of readiness but also general public service obligation, which could have been moved forward with. The announcement has been that everything shall be handled collectively, and I have been made aware that very many are disappointed that it is now going to drag out further in time because the regional airports are running with very large deficits.
Madam Speaker! In Västernorrland, we have become accustomed to dealing with the fact that the government displays a rather extensive lack of interest in our county. When the government was to present its strategy for new industrialization in northern Sweden, we in Västernorrland were not included. When we Social Democrats pressed the government's representatives as to why, even with the most understanding opposition ears, it was not possible to hear a logical explanation.
We have very many investments in Västernorrland in the magnitude of hundreds of billions of kronor that have already been started or are planned, but the poor infrastructure regarding both trains, roads and aviation is a concern. This has naturally been pointed out time and again to many governments. It is two and a half years since an investigation report was received, and it has been promised that a decision will come – it is far too passive.
Madam Speaker! I hope for some clarifying statements from the Minister in this debate, both for Sundsvall Timrå airport and for Örnsköldsvik airport. But I believe that there may also be other representatives for regional airports who are watching this debate and want answers on what applies in the long term. This is important not least for defense and transport within the Prison and Probation Service but also for a functioning healthcare system.
I would initially like to ask the Minister if the government will take any short-term measures to ensure regional airports such as Örnsköldsvik and Sundsvall Timrå, and if the government intends to make any long-term proposals regarding the aviation infrastructure before the next investigation is complete.
Anna-Belle Strömberg (S)
Madam Speaker! I know that Minister Andreas Carlson is well acquainted with Örnsköldsvik in Västernorrland County and what challenges exist when it comes to traveling to and from Örnsköldsvik.
Örnsköldsvik is one of the country's most export-intensive municipalities. We have the forest industry, which is world-leading in developing bio-based products and driving the climate transition. At the same time, we also have a strong hub of the Swedish defense industry, with BAE Hägglunds whose order book soon exceeds 150 billion – they deliver both to the Armed Forces and to international collaborations. We have RISE, which operates an arena for material development. We have Höga kusten with one of Sweden's fastest-growing tourism industries.
These are successes that strengthen Västernorrland and the entire Swedish economy. Common to all is the importance of being able to meet the need for increased production capacity and shorter delivery times, and to meet the great challenge of the competence supply. The uncertainty regarding a robust transport system with all modes of transport and regarding an air route hinders precisely this development.
All this is based on the fact that Örnsköldsvik has functioning national and international connections. If we lose the flight connection to Stockholm, we risk dramatically diminished competitiveness. Our ability to contribute to AB Sverige is weakened, and we lose the opportunity for work commuting with a good working environment.
I live alone in Örnsköldsvik, and I am completely dependent on this flight route to be able to travel to Stockholm and perform my parliamentary work here. With the current flight route, I can commute weekly to and from Örnsköldsvik and here to the Riksdag. This is shared by many Örnsköldsvik residents who commute weekly and also by visiting visitors.
A cessation of operations at Örnsköldsvik Airport has direct effects on the community's preparedness. It hinders business development, mobility, and our security. The Arlanda investigation has clearly pointed out that the government should decide to introduce a general transport obligation for the socially important domestic flight routes where reasonable transport alternatives are lacking, if commercial air traffic were to cease or be significantly reduced.
Madam Speaker! Against the background of this issue, I would like to ask Minister Andreas Carlson: When will the government ensure a long-term flight route between Örnsköldsvik and Stockholm so that our forestry and defense industry can continue to contribute to Swedish exports, to innovation, and to national security?
Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)
Madam Speaker! I would like to thank the members for their commitment to Swedish aviation and Swedish transport. This is absolutely crucial for our preparedness, for the industry's competitiveness, and for people to be able to travel to different parts of the country.
No transport modes should be pitted against each other. What we are discussing today concerns aviation. Peter Hedberg is on the point that reinforcements of robustness and reliability also need to be made in other parts of the transport system. I did not intend to dwell so much on this in the answer now, even though there is much to say about it. But we are making record-breaking investments in the maintenance of the Swedish road network and Swedish railways. It is clear that it would have been better if this had been in place much earlier. Many encounter the problems in their everyday lives today. We are addressing those. This is of the highest priority. It does not mean that we also do not need to strengthen the competitiveness of aviation.
In the debate, two of the three airports in Västernorrland have been mentioned. There was also a proposal regarding the third one, Höga Kusten Airport – the airport investigation proposed that there should no longer be a general traffic obligation at that airport. The government has issued a statement on that: We are not proceeding with that proposal. There are also other proposals that could have negative consequences for aviation and flight accessibility, which we have not proceeded with.
When it comes to the proposals concerning changes in the basic supply, it should be remembered that the directives for the airport investigation were written in a somewhat different time – before Russia's full-scale war of invasion in Ukraine, before the security policy change took place and before we joined Nato. We have now more than doubled the operating support to the regional airports. It is therefore reasonable to review the responsibility and the management of the Swedish airport system.
The investigation that has now been commissioned shall review the state's role as owner and manager of airports. The airport investigations that have been conducted will be important basis in that work. According to the mandate that has now been decided, Anders Flanking, who has been appointed as investigator, shall review, investigate and evaluate the national basic supply of airports and their function and purpose. It concerns ownership, financing and organization of the Swedish airports. The purpose is to create long-term sustainability, not least economic. As the members point out, there are many airports that are having a very tough time economically. It is a consequence of a decrease in domestic air travel which has affected not only the regional airports' but also Swedavia's economic conditions.
In practice, the mandate of the investigator concerns which airport system the state shall be responsible for in the future and in what way. The investigation will also analyze Bromma Airport's role and function in the basic supply in light of the reduced scheduled traffic at Bromma since the turn of the year.
There is much that needs to be done, Madam Speaker. Peter Hedberg asks about short-term measures. In that case, I want to remind that we have removed the aviation tax from July 1st this year. I know that the Social Democrats accept the removal in their budget motion. But the parties that the Social Democrats intend to cooperate with are not of the same opinion. The Green Party argues that a doubling was needed instead. I have looked closely at the budget motion for the Social Democrats' coalition partner, the Green Party. They want, Madam Speaker, to lower the operating grant for 2025 by 175 million kronor. It is important that the consensus we have here in the chamber right now is reflected throughout the Riksdag so that we have the opportunity for good transport throughout the country.
Peter Hedberg (S)
Madam Speaker! The Minister speaks of the parties that we intend to cooperate with. I have pointed out to the Minister several times that the Social Democrats in the Committee on Transport would more than gladly receive information and engage in a dialogue with the government regarding this issue. But as far as I know, no such initiatives are occurring from the government.
Madam Speaker! Regarding Höga Kusten Airport, the Minister has already received praise from my side. This occurred in the previous debate, which we had in September 2024. I stand by that praise. But I think we can also dwell on another part of that debate. The Minister pointed out a rather important thing regarding the regional airports, namely travel policies that did not quite align with the rhetoric from companies and owners. Now, many of them have actually moved and acted to ensure the survival of their own airports, Madam Speaker.
The government, however, has not done so. They have not moved at all on the major, long-term issues. While municipalities and companies have adapted to reality and realized that we must combine maintained aviation infrastructure with the development of sustainable fuels and so on for the sake of the climate, the government sits and does almost nothing. The aviation tax is one thing, the operating subsidy another. But in the major, long-term issues regarding structure, ownership, compensation for readiness, and the like, nothing is happening. These are very important issues.
I understand that the Minister believes there are different aspects that need further investigation, but that cannot mean that one cannot proceed with certain parts. Obviously, what the Minister and the Government have previously said does not hold true: that everything should be treated as a whole. This has been proven precisely through the decisions regarding Höga Kusten Airport but also Ronneby; it was chosen to break out certain parts. Therefore, I believe that one should be able to do so also regarding, for example, the preparedness and compensation issue.
Madam Speaker! When it comes to Örnsköldsvik and Sundsvall Timrå, one does not only want to maintain the airports but also develop them for the business sector, defense, preparedness, and the citizens. As we have touched upon a few times, leading politicians have signaled that there is an economic reality to contend with. One cannot operate these airports indefinitely without receiving reasonable financial compensation from the state. Ultimately, municipal politicians must weigh this against important measures in the welfare area and for the school.
The passivity could naturally lead to some airports closing, which would be devastating. I believe that some of the government's agencies would then pose a number of different questions, for example: Well, where are the fire flights supposed to land now? How are we going to manage the Prison and Probation Service's transports? And not least: What are we going to do about the ambulance flights? They are very important for transporting not only patients but also staff who may be needed in different parts of the country.
As we all know, the Minister's party and its leaders have shown a very great interest in state healthcare. But they have actually also gone into detail and reviewed the healthcare structure in Västernorrland. Therefore, Madam Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister if the government will take measures to ensure a good aviation infrastructure in Västernorrland focused on good preparedness and maintained healthcare regarding ambulance flights.
Anna-Belle Strömberg (S)
Madam Speaker! Unfortunately, I receive no answer from the Minister on the question of whether he intends to take any short-term measures to secure the financing of regional airports and ensure access in northern Sweden before the investigation is complete. The uncertainty surrounding a flight route hampers development for the forestry industry, for BAE, and for the tourism industry. Everyone is waiting for a decision from the Minister. Is it reasonable that Örnsköldsvik risks lacking a flight route because the government is postponing necessary decisions?
I know that Örnsköldsvik Municipality, with Örnsköldsvik Airport, wants to continue to develop the airport offering for the benefit of the community. But time risks running out. Secured and long-term shared funding provides the conditions to maintain and develop the operations and the airport area in a way that meets current and future needs. But in order to be able to do that, a decision from the Minister is required.
Madam Speaker! Does the Minister intend to present any proposals based on the conclusions of the investigation *Statens ansvar för det svenska flygplatssystemet*, such as that the state should be able to procure flight routes to important locations in northern Sweden and increase the operating subsidy to 75 percent, and if so, when? Does the Minister intend to follow Arlandasamordningens recommendation to introduce a general public service obligation for socially important routes where transport alternatives are lacking? Will the government include more locations in northern Sweden?
Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)
Madam Speaker! The government has taken several measures. We have more than doubled the operating support to the regional airports. We removed a tax that the Social Democratic government introduced, namely the aviation tax, which has hit both domestic traffic and the competitiveness of aviation hard. That we are today in a situation where domestic traffic is having a very tough time is not a coincidence, Madam Speaker, but a consequence of having done too little for a long time and even opposed aviation.
That is why it is positive – as Peter Hedberg mentions – that travel policies are now beginning to be delivered across the country. It prevents a municipality or region from knocking on the door of the Government Offices with one hand to request more operating support, while with the other hand advising against or even prohibiting its staff from flying from the airport that, in many respects, it highlights as important for healthcare, for preparedness, for accessibility, and for the needs of the business sector.
I would like to say that more changes are required before we get a completely neutral and balanced view on this in the various travel policies, but I have also noted the changed direction.
Madam Speaker! Peter Hedberg asks me why we cannot break out other parts, but we have indeed broken out, for example, the proposal to strengthen the operating grant. When it comes to this, we saw that more needs to be done and that the support needs to be strengthened. I do not, of course, rule out that further supplements may be needed during the time we work on reviewing and analyzing the system of airports in its entirety.
It is exactly this I mean when it comes to pulling out different airports and saying that some should be included in the basic supply and some not, if one has not conducted a new analysis based on the new security policy situation. In this situation, more and more people, in addition to those of us discussing here today, Madam Speaker, see the value of robust air traffic and aviation in Sweden.
I have very good contact with several of the airports that are having a very tough time right now. Even Sweden's regional airports describe the situation as tough, and given aviation's important role for total defense and for ambulance flights and firefighting flights, it should also be seen as serious.
The compensation that is available today for being a standby airport barely covers the costs that the airport has. It is, of course, something we see as concerning and which we are also analyzing now. I cannot, of course, anticipate the budget process, and I believe the members of Parliament in this chamber understand that. The members do not need to doubt the government's commitment to strengthening Swedish aviation as an important part of a transport system in Sweden that one can rely on.
This is almost ironic considering that one belongs to a party that introduced the aviation tax, which tried to shut down Bromma Airport and which put a brake on Arlanda's development. One also has coalition partners such as Miljöpartiet, who not only want to introduce the aviation tax again but double the aviation tax. It is also about lowering the operating subsidy for regional airports.
You can also cooperate with the government – we would gladly like to do so regarding the abolition of the aviation tax and strengthening aviation. Peter Hedberg stands at the beginning of this debate and says that he hopes there will be a change of government. In that case, I think one is answerable: How will it be with a change of government? Will the members stop a reintroduction of the aviation tax?
A very fundamental reduction of the operating support does not quite rhyme with the debate we are having. We can trust the government. We will continue to support Swedish aviation, because it is an important part of the Swedish total defense.
Peter Hedberg (S)
Madam Speaker! Now one has the opportunity to be a bit polemical during these last two minutes.
Firstly: Regarding cracks in the government basis, the last few weeks have probably shown that this government should perhaps not talk so much about such things right now. I do not expect the Minister to anticipate the budget process, but I am raising the stakes a little and saying that I do not intend to anticipate any government negotiations in the autumn of 2026.
I believe that almost no one would describe me as an optimist. I am, however, a pragmatic realist. I hear the Minister of State saying that he does not rule out a number of other measures in addition to those that the government boasts of having taken.
I then choose to take a stand on this and, when it comes to the preparedness issues, say that instead of us bickering about the history of the aviation tax or which part of our government base thinks what, I think the Minister could extend a hand to the Social Democrats to discuss the preparedness issues – this applies to both the ambulance flights, the correctional services, and the total defense in general – so that we can achieve a robust system regarding aviation. These issues are too important for us to lose them in partisan squabbles.
We from Västernorrland receive a great deal from the business sector and the defense. They want us to raise this, and that is why we are doing it. The Minister is more than welcome to Västernorrland to visit municipalities, regions, the County Administrative Board, and airports to take part in the activities they have there. He might not want to bring a Social Democrat along, but if he were to want that, I promise that I will stretch out my hand and am willing to step up.
Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)
Madam Speaker! I thank the member for this. It is, of course, very important to have momentum in the issues regarding strengthening Swedish robustness concerning the airports and air traffic.
The reason I bring up the differences that exist in this issue is not about partisan polemics. It is about the reason why we are in the situation we are in today, with a domestic traffic that is having a very tough time. This has, among other things, one cause in the policy that has been pursued within the aviation and airport area.
When discussing this, it is very important to see the situation clearly. I therefore welcome Peter Hedberg's and Anna-Belle Strömberg's engagement in the issue. This is too important to become pamphlet politics. It is, of course, about preparedness and availability, but it is also about how Sweden, with the innovative power and capability we have, can participate in transitioning aviation to become more sustainable.
Regarding this, the government has appointed an investigator who is now working on sustainable fuels for both aviation and shipping, in order to strengthen domestic production. This could become an opportunity for job and growth creation in our country, where it both strengthens Swedish competitiveness and accelerates the transition of aviation and shipping.
I believe that we have a common interest and commitment regarding this. We will continue to work to strengthen the preparedness so that we do not neglect the airport infrastructure. That is why we have now given Anders Flanking this important assignment. We will, of course, continue to closely monitor the situation for the regional airports. As mentioned, we do not rule out various measures during the course of the investigation to strengthen robustness. At the same time, I believe it is important to do this in a context where we have several bases of evidence on the table.
I would like to thank the member for this discussion. Thank you for the commitment!
Source: The Swedish Parliament. The speeches come from the open data of the Riksdag, translated into English by AI, which may contain errors.