At the end of April, the state-owned company Swedavia, which is responsible for most airports in Sweden, chose to pause certain parts of Arlanda's expansion as a result of the corona crisis. Swedavia expects a significantly lower traffic volume in the future, which is why the capacity shortages that an extension would fix are no longer as time-critical and therefore put on ice.
"There is no need for it," says Press Manager Robert Pletzin, who emphasizes that the decision was purely market-based and that the project can be resumed if traffic trends change.
However, in connection with the government's presentation last week of state aid to the airline SAS, there was some confusion as to whether the government had agreed to stop the plans. This, among other things, after the Environmental Party's climate policy spokesperson Lorentz Tovatt stated that the party approved the support billions to SAS on condition that Arlanda's expansion was stopped, something that was denied by Business Minister Ibrahim Baylan.
"Have confidence in Swedavia"This has led the Moderates to take the initiative in marking the Government in the Finance Committee, a so-called announcement. According to the party's economic policy spokesperson, Elisabeth Svantesson, the party also has the support of the other bourgeois parties and the Swedish Democrats ahead of the announcement being tabled in Parliament for voting on Tuesday.
"A majority of parliamentary parties will state that Arlanda's development and expansion should not be stopped by political decisions - and that the government has to adhere to," she says.
Business Minister Ibrahim Baylan said in a written comment to SVT News that Swedavia is responsible for whether investments should be made at a lower rate or canceled.
- The government has confidence in the company's management and shares their assessment, he says.