Response to interpellation 2025/26:424 on the Torsby/Hagfors-Arlanda flight route
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 flight route Torsby/Hagfors-Arlanda. KD argues that aviation is important for the economy, competitiveness, and preparedness 1. KD emphasizes that the government rejected proposals to remove the public service obligation in 2024 2 3 and that it is important to have resources for socially important traffic in sparsely populated areas 2. KD sees opportunities in the development of electric aviation 3 and wants to strengthen Arlanda's accessibility 4. KD has removed the aviation tax 4, introduced support for more international routes 4 and wants to integrate the transport system 4. S argues that the flight route is crucial for the business sector, the public sector, and healthcare 5. S wants the government to designate the route as a strategically important connection 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.
Infrastruktur- och bostadsministern Andreas Carlson (KD)
Madam Speaker! Mikael Dahlqvist has asked me if I intend to take measures to ensure that the general traffic obligation for the flight route between Torsby, Hagfors, and Arlanda continues after 2027, and how I and the government consider regional airports' importance for Sweden's preparedness and total defense in the work with state support for air traffic.
A starting point for the government is that regular scheduled air traffic shall be operated on commercial terms. In some cases, however, it is not possible to operate commercially viable and regular air traffic. In these situations, there may be a need to establish air routes with a public service obligation to ensure various regions' accessibility to Sweden's capital. For that work, Trafikverket is the responsible authority.
The Swedish Transport Administration has recently conducted an investigation to provide a basis for the agency's upcoming decisions on which flight routes should have a public service obligation and, if necessary, be tendered before the current operator agreements expire in October 2027. The Swedish Transport Administration refers its investigation in the usual order to gather views on the proposal. I am following the matter closely.
The question of funds for the procured transport is something that the government assesses in the annual work with the state budget.
Aviation is an important part of the transport system. Especially in a country like Sweden with long distances and many sparsely populated areas, aviation is important for domestic travel and also has great significance for Sweden's economy, competitiveness, and openness towards the rest of the world. The Government has therefore taken several important measures to strengthen the competitiveness of aviation and airports and to improve the conditions for good accessibility by air.
To give some examples: The aviation tax is abolished from July 1, 2025. The Government has also decided that 60 authorities shall report how they ensure transport-neutral business trips. On the Government's proposal, the Riksdag has on two occasions decided to increase the total state contribution to municipalities for operating support for non-state airports by over 400 percent.
In addition, the Riksdag has, at the government's proposal, increased the state compensation to the standby airports starting from this year.
For Torsby airport, the operating support has increased from approximately 3.3 million kronor in 2023 to approximately 8 million kronor in 2025. For Hagfors airport, the operating support has increased from approximately 3.5 million kronor in 2023 to approximately 8 million kronor in 2025.
In conclusion, I also want to highlight the ongoing government investigation which specifically looks at the state's role as an owner of state-owned airports, where the regional airports are also included, not least with regard to our preparedness and total defense.
Mikael Dahlqvist (S)
Madam Speaker! Thank you very much for the answer, Minister!
It was an expected answer from the minister, but I also want to be clear here that I lack clear information. My interpellation concerns a very simple and concrete question, Madam Speaker: Will the state ensure the flight route between Torsby, Hagfors, and Arlanda even after 2027? Unfortunately, I receive no clear answer to this question. Instead, the minister refers to Trafikverket's investigation, the upcoming consultation process, and future budget work.
Madam Speaker! For people in northern Värmland, this is not a technical question. Nor is it a budget question. This interpellation is also about the possibilities of living, working, and running businesses far from the metropolitan regions. I dare to assert that the flight route is crucial for the business sector, for the public sector, for cooperation between universities, some healthcare, and also international contacts. It makes it possible to reach Stockholm and then out into the wide world on the same day.
Madam Speaker! Unfortunately, we are living under a deteriorated security situation. In that case, it is also important that airports are operational. A significant number of medical transports depart from there, and a portion of fire surveillance takes place there. And in recent years, the defense has also used the airports more and more because the airspace there is more accessible.
Madam Speaker! I welcome that the government has increased the operating support to the country's regional airports. It is an important step, and it shows an understanding of the airports. But operating support to airports is not the same as functioning flight connections. If the flight line ceases, we risk ending up in a situation where the airport formally remains but where the function is heavily eroded. Without functioning flight connections to Stockholm, the conditions to maintain the airports at all are diminished. When activities are weighed against each other, it is clear that despite an increased operating support, it is a large capital cost to run an airport for two small municipalities, which must prioritize. I am afraid that the airports will then be decommissioned.
My question remains. In addition to waiting for the referral and budget periods, I can ask the following question: How does the minister himself view the importance of maintaining flights of this caliber in northern Värmland? How does the minister view the future for smaller air routes?
Infrastruktur- och bostadsministern Andreas Carlson (KD)
Madam Speaker! I shall respond to Mikael Dahlqvist by pointing out the only decision the government has made during the mandate period specifically regarding the Torsby and Hagfors airports.
We made a decision in 2024 not to proceed with the proposals that existed at that time to remove the traffic obligation. That is the message that the government has given during the mandate period.
The background is that we saw a need to continue to have a traffic obligation. We saw that there were good reasons. The reasons that Mikael Dahlqvist highlighted are some of them.
We believe that in the security policy situation we find ourselves in now, we need to be cautious and ensure that we do not risk losing either flight routes or the functionality of the airports. We have also commissioned an investigation that looks at the airport network, both the state and the regional, in order to achieve increased readiness and robustness.
The only decision the government has made regarding the two airports is to reject a previous investigation proposal to remove the traffic obligation.
What the member is now highlighting concerns a proposal that Trafikverket has developed. Trafikverket is currently compiling the consultation responses that have been received. From what I have been informed, the consultation outcome is clearly negative towards reducing the number of lines. Trafikverket is preparing the proposal before they are to make decisions on general traffic obligation and initiate the procurement process after 2027. This will, of course, be affected by which funds are available according to the budget that the government will decide on. I have previously been clear that it will be an important priority for Kristdemokraterna to have sufficient funds for socially important traffic so as not to reduce lines to sparsely populated areas, but I cannot, of course, anticipate the budget process.
It could also be that, if we are unlucky, we face a change of government. In that case, I hope that the commitment that Mikael Dahlqvist shows in this debate will also be just as strong in negotiations with Miljöpartiet. The party does not only want to reintroduce the aviation tax but also double it. That type of measure would also be very harmful. We do not know what the outcome of various negotiations will be, even on the left side. For Kristdemokraterna, it is crystal clear that we see a need to have sufficient resources so as not to risk losing traffic even in sparsely populated areas and at smaller airports. What we have done during the mandate period is to increase the support to regional airports by 400 percent. We have gone from 3.3 and 3.5 million to 8 million per airport. It is a clear indication of how important we consider connectivity to be.
Mikael Dahlqvist (S)
Madam Speaker! We have been here before. Every time a new transport agreement is to be renegotiated, the Transport Administration has, in various rounds, proposed that the flight should be phased out. Reference has been made to travel data and costs. But every time, wise political decisions from governments and parties in this chamber have ensured that the line has remained. It is important to remember that.
I can assure the minister that in this matter, I have been just as persistent regardless of the color of the government. I have been the chairman of the municipal executive board in Hagfors municipality, where one of the affected airports is located, and the issue has haunted me for 20 years. I wonder why Trafikverket even bothers to propose this because the agency has been rejected by the government every time. It does not matter what color the government has been. It has been both we who have governed and you who have governed, and for that, I am extremely grateful.
However, I am a bit puzzled by Trafikverket's argumentation this time. When one reads their proposal to decommission the flight line, it shines through that more money is needed for the agency. The actual figures regarding travel are fantastic. I fly myself every week with the line, and I see the development.
The plan is small with only 12 places, and it is often full. Unfortunately, there is no statistics on how many who try to book a place and it is full. It is a black hole.
What is fascinating about the airport is that there are many consultants and businesspeople there, including to Uddeholm, Värmland's largest private company within the steel industry. But there are also fine companies in Torsby and northern Värmland.
I also see another type of traveler, especially high-skilled commuters, and they are traveling to Norrland. They are mining engineers and train drivers on the Malmbanan, and several work in the LKAB mine. If the airport had not existed, one would have either had to move, which is difficult if one has a family and children, or one would have had to seek employment elsewhere. And we know what a hassle it is to recruit labor in northern Värmland.
I welcome that the government provides state support for operation. I know how difficult it is for a small municipality of 10,000–12,000 inhabitants to finance an airport. Both Hagfors and Torsby municipalities have done so solely to secure the needs of the business sector. This is an important issue.
Let me bring up a bit of trivia, Madam Speaker. When the question came up again, I was both happy and concerned. Old 80-year-old ladies call me and say: "Mikael! You must see to it that the flight remains." At the same time, I know that these ladies do not fly at all, but it is a symbolic question. Unfortunately, the state has abandoned that part of Sweden. This is the last outpost for feeling seen. Regardless of which party we represent, we must not underestimate the symbolic effect. It is incredibly important.
Andreas Carlson has clearly stated what he thinks on the issue. I hope that he will monitor the issue with the same commitment as when it concerns national road 62.
Infrastruktur- och bostadsministern Andreas Carlson (KD)
Madam Speaker! Mikael Dahlqvist can rely on that.
As I said in my previous post, one can also be guided by the decision that I had the pleasure of conveying in both Torsby and Hagfors in 2024, when we rejected the proposal to remove the traffic obligation that was then on the table. It is the only decision that the government has made during this parliamentary term.
When I was in Torsby and Hagfors, I met many in the business community who saw this line as a line not only to and from Stockholm but also to and from the rest of the world. On the plane were buyers, I believe, from different countries who were going to both Torsby and Hagfors. It is therefore important with good accessibility by air, not least for the needs of the business community.
I see great opportunities in the smaller airports. In the long term and, of course, given the security policy situation we are in, it is necessary to protect the aviation and the airports we have. But as emissions decrease and we get new methods – the development of electric aviation continues, after all – it could become a new spring for the smaller airports. Therefore, it would be directly unwise to, now that it is tough on the domestic market, not provide different types of support to maintain regional airports and secure important infrastructure.
This government has given support. It would be unwise not to do so against the background of the security situation but also the bright future that is just around the corner; it may become possible to travel in an even more sustainable way by air. It is a positive message and a positive development in a country like Sweden with large distances and many sparsely populated areas.
Mikael Dahlqvist (S)
Madam Speaker! This debate is ultimately about what future we want to see in Sweden and, above all, about northern Värmland and other parts of the country with long distances.
Should people have equal opportunities regardless of where they live? Should companies be able to grow and invest even outside the major cities? Should Sweden have a robust infrastructure that functions even during a crisis and high state of alert? On that question, I mean that the answer is obviously: Yes.
I therefore hope that the government clearly marks the flight route between Torsby, Hagfors and Arlanda as a strategically important connection that will also have to remain after 2027. It would provide security for the residents, the business community and the municipalities, which for a long time have taken and continue to take a great responsibility for this operation. I hope that the government is prepared to take that responsibility and shoulder that role.
Madam Speaker! This may not have a direct connection to the interpellation, but since I have the Minister here anyway, I will take the opportunity, as it concerns aviation.
One of the challenges for the flights to Arlanda is that Arlanda is not quite the hub in Sweden that we have desired. For example, Copenhagen Airport has much more traffic to the south than Arlanda has. We must develop Arlanda together, so that the airport gains better dignity. It is just a thought, Minister.
In conclusion, I would like to wish Madam Speaker, the staff, the employees, the Minister, and the audience a happy Midsummer and a wonderful summer.
Infrastruktur- och bostadsministern Andreas Carlson (KD)
Madam Speaker! Thank you, Mikael Dahlqvist, for the commitment to the issue and for raising it once again in the Swedish Riksdag!
When it comes to Arlanda, I completely agree with Mikael Dahlqvist that the accessibility to and from Arlanda needs to be strengthened. And Arlanda as an airport needs to be strengthened in terms of the competition with other larger airports.
The government has removed the harmful aviation tax, which was a hindering factor and made it less competitive to establish international lines to Arlanda. We have now removed that. We have also introduced a support to be able to work towards getting more international lines to and from Arlanda, so that it will become a hub.
Furthermore, it is important to strengthen the domestic market and see what we can do to build the transport system even better. In the national plan, there are several measures to strengthen accessibility to and from Arlanda.
We are also working for a good competitive situation for Arlanda, which is Sweden's largest international airport.
The situation we have today is partly a result of the harmful policy that was pursued for many years, when it was shameful to make aviation investments and work with aviation. A flight tax was also introduced. I hope we can agree that it belongs to history and that a flight tax shall not be reintroduced in the future.
If the worst should happen and there is a change of government, I am very concerned that Miljöpartiet not only wants to reintroduce the aviation tax but also double it. We already know that international airlines would then leave or significantly reduce their operations at Arlanda. That would weaken Arlanda as a hub. I hope we can agree that this must not happen.
Source: The Swedish Parliament. The speeches come from the open data of the Riksdag, translated into English by AI, which may contain errors.