- Yes, to be really honest, you have been far down in the shoes during this difficult winter, it has been dark outside and even so in our halls, says Ulf Axelsson.
The number of arriving and departing passengers in scheduled and charter traffic at the airport in Växjö has decreased by just over 80 percent.
From 278,535 passengers in 2019 to 50,351 in 2020.
During the first two months of 2021, only 340 passengers have flown from or to Växjö.
- A normal January month, that number is around 15,000 and sometimes up to 30,000, says Ulf Axelsson.
Forced to lay off staff
Nine positions have disappeared and of the remaining 90 percent are short-term layoffs.
The airport has received a government grant of SEK 13.5 million, which has saved the budget for 2020. For 2021/22, the owners have pushed for a grant of SEK 20 million for operations.
- The deficit must be covered by someone.
It does not look like the traffic will start during the first half of 2021, says Ulf Axelsson.
Heavy year also for the airport in Kalmar
Kalmar Öland airport also lost many passengers in 2020. In 2019, 232,122 flew from Kalmar and in 2020 only 52,908, a decrease of 77 percent.
The airport has been forced to lay off nine staff and has used short-term layoffs.
Kalmar has also received government grants for the operation of the airport of a total of SEK 13.5 million.
Kent Lindblad is operationally responsible for the airport.
- Last year was the first time we went back and then with 4 million.
We have a hope that the situation will become more normal in the future and that the situation in society will become more normal.