The long queues are mainly based on the fact that the state-owned company Swedavia has a staff shortage, mainly in the security checks, while the demand for air travel has increased sharply since the pandemic restrictions were abolished.
The Minister of Trade and Industry Karl-Petter Thorwaldsson calls the situation "unacceptable".
- We have a responsibility for our companies, even though we are not in their everyday lives.
Now the holiday traffic is starting, and it is clear that we will not end up in the same situation as last weekend when even many missed their flights, says Thorwaldsson.
For "vulnerable" system
The Minister of Trade and Industry points out above all that the system that Swedavia and Arlanda work on is too "vulnerable".
- We must build more resilient systems, over pandemics and changes in travel habits.
He also criticizes Swedavia and believes that the company should have foreseen the prevailing kitchen chaos.
- In twelve months, travel at Arlanda has increased by more than 500 percent.
You should have known that in February, March.
There is a lot to evaluate, but now it is important to put all the gunpowder to ensure that Arlanda works again.
After that, we will evaluate how we will make the system less vulnerable in the future, says Thorwaldsson.
"We have foreseen the situation"
Charlotte Ljunggren, Marketing Director at Swedavia, understands the criticism that has been leveled at the company.
But she does not agree that Swedavia did not anticipate the situation, quite the opposite.
They were "early on the ball" to recruit new staff to strengthen in the face of increased demand, she says.
- Now we are in an extraordinary situation and we have foreseen this situation.
The airports are normally a well-oiled machinery, but we started up with an enormous force, which means that we need to recruit a lot of new employees - and we do too.
Swedavia has a good collaboration with the authorities, she points out.
- But what Karl-Petter and the Government Offices need to focus on is to ensure that they have staff who are able to do these important background checks as quickly and efficiently as possible, says Ljunggren.
How does the government act to remedy the kitchen chaos at Arlanda? Listen to the Minister of Trade and Industry Karl-Petter Thorwaldsson (S) in the clip above.