Response to interpellation 2025/26:471 on high costs and lack of accessibility to Arlanda
Translated from Swedish by AI; the translation may contain errors. The Swedish text is the original.
Summary AI, written in advance
KD argues that the government has strengthened Arlanda's competitiveness by abolishing the aviation tax, increasing support for regional airports, and introducing subsidies to the GAS system 1. KD emphasizes that they have reintroduced capacity reinforcements on the E4 2 and propose additional subsidies for security checks, procurement of traffic at increased fuel prices, as well as funds for ambulance flights 3 4. KD argues that a doubled aviation tax would damage accessibility 3. S argues that Arlanda's accessibility has declined more than in any other country in Europe 5. S welcomes the abolition of the aviation tax but wants to see measures to lower the cost of Arlanda Express 6. S wants to focus on developing Arlanda airport and strengthening domestic flights 7.
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)
Mr. Speaker! Kadir Kasirga has asked me what concrete measures I intend to take to improve public transport and railway connections to and from Arlanda, if I intend to act to lower costs and increase accessibility in train travel to Arlanda in line with what the government's own investigator points out, and how I intend to ensure that Arlanda is developed as a strong national hub given today's capacity challenges and the need for efficient transport.
To strengthen the competitiveness of Arlanda Airport, the government decided in December 2023 to appoint a special investigator, the so-called Arlanda Coordinator. The Coordinator was tasked with conducting a dialogue with relevant actors, for example municipalities, regions, state agencies and the business community, to identify and propose measures that can be implemented for increased capacity and improved accessibility in the transport system to and from Arlanda Airport. The Coordinator submitted the final report on its assignment on 2 June 2025 in the report Arlanda – an important gateway for Swedish prosperity (SOU 2025:67).
Several named infrastructure objects that the coordinator proposed in the report have been established by the government in connection with the decision on the national plan on 24 April 2026. This concerns, among other things, the Ostkustbanan's four tracks to Uppsala, signal optimization Solna–Skavstaby, measures at Märsta station and yard reconstruction, as well as capacity reinforcements on road E4. Additional measures, which are smaller and therefore are not included in the group of named objects, may come into question in the county plan or as trimming measures.
The Government assessed, in connection with the decision on the national plan, that these measures collectively will increase accessibility to Stockholm–Arlanda Airport and in this way also contribute to strengthened competitiveness for the airport, for Swedish business, and for domestic aviation.
The Government has 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 has been abolished since July 1, 2025. The Government has decided that nearly 60 agencies shall report on how they ensure transport-neutral business travel. On the Government's proposal, the Riksdag has on two occasions decided to increase the total state contribution to municipalities for operational support to non-state airports by over 400 percent.
The government has furthermore recently announced a proposal for an additional 400 million kronor to the common fee equalization system for security screening of passengers and their luggage, GAS. In this way, the government can, during the second half of 2026, temporarily completely suspend the GAS fee charged by the airlines and thus mitigate the effects of the war in the Middle East for aviation.
The Government will continue to work to strengthen the competitiveness of aviation and thus the airports. In that context, Arlanda airport is important. The Arlanda coordinator's mandate contains, in addition to the proposals that are now included in the national plan, many additional proposals that we are analyzing.
Kadir Kasirga (S)
Mr. Speaker! I thank the Minister for the answer.
I believe we are in agreement that Arlanda is Sweden's most important international airport. For the export industry, the tourism industry, investments, and jobs, Arlanda is the gateway to the world. But here, the consensus ends.
We are approaching the end of the parliamentary term, and in just over three months, the Swedish people will go to the polls. After the nearly four years that the government has been responsible for transport policy, it is difficult to see that Arlanda's position has been strengthened; on the contrary. According to the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, Sweden's flight accessibility since the pandemic has retreated more than in any other country in Europe, and business representatives, investors, and the government's own Arlanda coordinator have warned against the development. Accessibility has not improved, attractiveness has not been strengthened, and Arlanda has not taken the steps forward that Sweden's most important international airport should have taken.
It is against this background that we have this debate.
Mr. Speaker! The government has taken some measures, and some investments are included in the national plan. But at the same time, we see how the government hesitates time and again when it comes to the larger and decisive capacity-increasing decisions. It is unfortunate that the government has not proceeded with important capacity-increasing measures, for example when it comes to Tomteboda and the railway system towards Stockholm – bottlenecks that affect the accessibility to Arlanda.
What has become clear during the government's four years is a sluggishness that has not only surprised the opposition. Swedish business and several actors within the transport and aviation industries have also reacted to the government's slow actions, and the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce has, as stated, noted that Sweden's flight accessibility has retreated the most in Europe since the pandemic. Arlanda is also lagging behind other Nordic airports, which risks investments, company establishments, and jobs. At the same time, the government's own Arlanda Coordinator expresses frustration over the government's sluggishness.
Mr. Speaker! The pattern is clear. The government acts only when an acute crisis arises. We see temporary crisis packages, temporary relief, and temporarily abolished fees.
I naturally welcome measures that can alleviate the situation for the industry here and now, but when it comes to the long-term solutions, the government has been almost paralyzed, despite their own investigator Peter Norman pointing out the problems in his investigation of Arlanda.
Peter Norman came forward with many proposals, for example to improve public transport to Arlanda, to conduct a dialogue with those who operate Arlanda Express, to review the station fee, to make it cheaper for people to choose public transport to Arlanda and to improve accessibility so that we, like all other capital cities on the continent, get cheaper accessibility. In that regard, I believe the minister becomes answerable.
Does the Minister truly believe that Arlanda is a more accessible, more competitive and stronger international hub today than when the government took office in 2022?
Infrastruktur- och bostadsministern Andreas Carlson (KD)
Mr. Speaker! Kadir Kasirga and I usually have quite constructive and good exchanges in the interpellation debates, but here is the limit. One cannot look at the last four years without taking into account the eight years that preceded them. It was only during the Social Democrats' last year in government, when they sat in government alone, that they could do something that was completely out of line, and that was when the Arlanda inquiry was appointed.
Previously, there was a flight ban at the Government Offices that the Social Democrats let the Green Party dictate. A flight tax was introduced that hit Swedish accessibility incredibly hard, and we see the results and are still suffering from the consequences of it. This government removed the flight tax.
Kadir Kasirga let the Green Party dictate the terms for eight years. It did not only weaken Arlanda's competitiveness but the competitiveness of aviation as a whole and thus Sweden's competitiveness. The same party now wants not only to reintroduce the aviation tax but also to double it. This is a system that is interconnected, and I imagine that Kadir Kasirga is well aware of what such an aviation tax would mean.
For example, airlines have announced that they would then need to scale back their operations at Arlanda, which would hit the accessibility to and from Arlanda directly. We can talk about different routes and connections to and from the airport and continue to have constructive exchanges here in the chamber, but if the Social Democrats again let the Green Party dictate the terms for aviation policy, it will mean a drastic shutdown of flight routes both within Sweden and to and from Sweden.
When it comes to the measures for public transport, Peter Norman's proposal is directed at the regional public transport authorities.
When it comes to the fee, I cannot help but also look back a little here. The previous government did allow the agreement to be extended by ten years, from 2040 to 2050. That agreement which was signed is therefore valid until 2050. This brought the state in a few hundred million to the treasury, but it would cost several billion to cancel the agreement. One can blame one's own failures on our government's policy, but no one is going to fall for that, Mr. Speaker.
Regarding the measure I mentioned, capacity reinforcements on the E4, there will be a massive traffic infarction when Förbifart Stockholm opens. It risks becoming that, at least, between Rotebro and Häggvik. In that case, Trafikverket raised warning flags to the previous government, not just in one proposal for a national plan but in two. Still, those measures were removed. So we don't need that. Now we have put them back so that there won't be a traffic situation that weakens both Arlanda's and the entire Stockholm's competitiveness. We have addressed that.
It is clear that we would have been in a better position if, eight years ago, we had already allowed Trafikverket's proposal, which was based on the expert authority's own analyses, to stand. The Social Democrats are ultimately responsible for this.
We have removed the aviation tax. We have increased the support to the regional airports by 400 percent. We have eased the burden on the security and baggage system by 400 million now and by 1 billion previously. In addition, we have tasked the authorities to have transport mode-neutral travel plans.
I mean that it is arrogant to place the responsibility for today's situation on the current government when none of what they say breathes any self-criticism regarding what they themselves are responsible for.
Kadir Kasirga (S)
Mr. Speaker! Thank you for the comments, Minister!
I am actually one of the Social Democrats who has many times in this chamber said that the proposals and measures that the government has presented to facilitate for Arlanda and save airlines in a crisis situation have been good. We have always welcomed it, even the abolition of the aviation tax.
I cannot stand here as a Social Democrat and answer for the political demands that other parties are pushing, but I can at least say that we Social Democrats have no plans to reintroduce the aviation tax. On the other hand, we adhere to the laws and regulations that come from the EU, including Fit for 55. We think that it should be sufficient for Sweden to follow it.
When it comes to accessibility, Arlanda, as I said in my speech, is a gateway between Sweden and the world, but Arlanda airport has slipped down in the rankings. This is stated by both the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce and parts of the business community, so it is not some propaganda from the opposition.
I would very much like to hear from the Minister: What does the government intend to do for the accessibility to Sweden, to Arlanda, and above all to Stockholm? The Stockholm region is Sweden's economic engine. The region accounts for approximately one-third of Sweden's GDP and is crucial for exports, innovations, investments, and business establishments.
Mr. Speaker! It is unfortunate that the government is not listening to its own investigator and his recommendations. The Minister can absolutely offer criticism and refer to history and to the fact that the Social Democratic government extended the agreement with Arlanda Express. It is true that we did that; there I can be self-critical. We should have reviewed the agreement properly.
Now there is an investigation from your side, with clear recommendations. It is not an investigation or recommendations to the public transport authorities, but it is the state that owns the investigation. I would like to hear from the minister: How does the minister view the recommendations, especially regarding Arlanda Express? Today, the journey costs 340 kronor. It is one of Europe's most expensive modes of transport. I have traveled in many capitals in Europe but have not seen anything as expensive as Arlanda Express.
I think there is potential for improvement here and that something can be done. At the same time, we have the station fee, which both other operators as well as travelers and tourists pay for. A solution is also needed there. Now it has almost been four years, and one has not really addressed these issues. It could be made easier for very many people to get to and from Arlanda.
Infrastruktur- och bostadsministern Andreas Carlson (KD)
Mr. Speaker! My criticism that the Social Democrats let the Green Party dictate the terms for aviation policy is not a personal criticism of Kadir Kasirga. I have understood that Kadir Kasirga seems to care about aviation and is concerned about the competitiveness of aviation and Arlanda. This, however, is not worth much if one simultaneously lets the Green Party dictate the terms.
Let me answer the questions regarding the costs for both commuting and traveling to and from Arlanda Airport. Arlandabanan has a new, Swedish owner who has signaled that they will look at price developments and pricing models and who has opened up for lower prices. We are, of course, following this very closely and are simultaneously preparing the Arlandasamordnare's proposal.
The station fee is interesting in that regard because it is the same fare to get to the platform at Arlanda, but when one takes the escalator up to the airport, the station fee is added. This naturally affects business travelers and tourists traveling to and from the airport, but it also affects many commuters who work at Arlanda Airport. Arlanda is one of Sweden's largest workplaces with 20,000 jobs. Therefore, the investigator's proposal, which we are processing, is of course urgent.
One cannot escape the fact that the contract extension that was made, without blinking, makes it more expensive to buy oneself out of the contract than it would have been if one had not made it. Therefore, we have not yet proceeded with these proposals but have proceeded with other proposals that Peter Norman submitted and which were intended to be considered in the national plan decision. Here we have taken several measures, as I mentioned, which strengthen the accessibility to and from Arlanda.
One can, however, wonder what it matters to be able to get to and from Arlanda if no or fewer flights will be operated. We know that a doubled aviation tax will directly hit accessibility in our elongated country. We know that the crisis measures we are now implementing are important for domestic aviation in the situation we find ourselves in.
We propose an addition of 400 million kronor to the joint fee equalization system for security checks. We have also proposed 100 million kronor to have the possibility to procure transport on important lines if they were to be shut down due to a raised fuel price. We have also provided funds to maintain the socially important transports that the ambulance flights provide.
The party that not only wants to reintroduce but double the aviation tax calls this package "a disaster." The Green Party describes it as a disaster to reduce costs that would affect travelers and impact accessibility in Sweden, to ensure that it is possible to procure transport that would not be viable on a commercial basis due to the risk of decommissioning because of increased fuel prices, and to be able to maintain ambulance transports in an elongated country like Sweden.
Kadir Kasirga is entitled to say what he thinks himself, but when one prepares a government mandate with a party that has previously put a wet blanket over aviation, which wants to reintroduce the aviation tax and which calls these measures a failure, he is responsible for the answer. Can we trust that the words Kadir Kasirga says in the chamber will actually apply in a new government?
Kadir Kasirga (S)
Madam Speaker! I thank the Minister for the comments, the answers and the questions.
We Social Democrats were the first to demand, due to the global situation in the Strait of Hormuz and its consequences for the aviation industry, that the government should act promptly to implement support measures for the aviation industry, including to secure aviation fuel.
What comments and political demands the other two political parties have, I cannot be held accountable for. I represent the Social Democrats, and we go to the election as an individual party. We have extended a hand to all parties except the Sweden Democrats.
Aviation is important, and Arlanda is important. It is the gateway between Sweden and the world. Arlanda is not only important for international traffic but also for domestic air traffic. Here I must direct criticism toward the government's stance regarding Bromma Airport and toward the fact that they have held onto that airport.
We need to focus on developing Arlanda airport and strengthening and consolidating domestic flights there. Arlanda is important for all of Sweden. It is not just an airport for Stockholm. It is Sweden's national airport.
I welcome these crisis measures. What I can criticize is that they may be somewhat short-sighted, and that should perhaps be reviewed.
Infrastruktur- och bostadsministern Andreas Carlson (KD)
Madam Speaker! As Kadir Kasirga is well aware, an extra supplementary budget applies for the current year and therefore applies for the current year. There is nothing strange in that.
This discussion began with Kadir Kasirga criticizing the government for undertaking support measures – or just support measures, as I believe the member expressed it. But I now perceive that there is support for it.
I have full respect for the fact that Kadir Kasirga cannot answer for another party. But if one lets the same party dictate the terms for aviation policy for two full terms, which is a major reason why Swedish domestic aviation has a poorer recovery after the pandemic than comparable countries in the EU, one also has a responsibility – not just for what one thinks oneself, but also for what is implemented during the time in power.
That is why I am very concerned about Swedish competitiveness, Swedish growth, Swedish preparedness and critical infrastructure transport if the same party comes to power again. One does not just say that they will reintroduce the aviation tax, but that they will double it. One does not welcome crisis measures, but describes them as a failure.
We are now taking precautions to secure society-critical transport in a situation where fuel prices could rise even further and this could become more protracted than anyone wants and hopes. We need to have a preparedness to maintain transport, even by air, in an elongated country like Sweden.
This is described as a failure by the same party that placed a wet blanket over everything related to aviation for eight years. That is what is worrying and is part of the reasons why Arlanda's competitiveness is too weak. It needs to be strengthened. We have taken measures, but that work needs to continue during the coming mandate period. It must not be abandoned and phased out again with drastic measures that worsen Arlanda's accessibility and aviation's competitiveness.
Source: The Swedish Parliament. The speeches come from the open data of the Riksdag, translated into English by AI, which may contain errors.