The number of passengers to and from Swedish airports continued to increase in 2023, but has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. This is shown by the Swedish Transport Agency's air traffic statistics.

Last year, a total of 29.8 million passengers flew to and from Swedish airports. This was 4.5 million more than the previous year, and international traffic saw the largest increase.

But in comparison with 2019 – that is to say, the year before the pandemic – last year's passengers represent 79 percent.

- This means that 4 out of 5 passengers are now back in the air compared to what was previously the normal situation for air traffic. It remains to be seen whether the fifth passenger will also check in or if we have changed our flying behaviour for good, says Simon Posluk, head of unit at the Swedish Transport Agency.

The total number of take-offs and landings was closer to 498,000 in 2023, which is about 26,000 more than the previous year.

Extract from the report:

• The most popular domestic destination last year was the Stockholm – Luleå route. This was followed by Stockholm – Umeå, Stockholm – Gothenburg and Stockholm – Malmö. 
• The biggest change last year was on the Stockholm – Skellefteå route, which increased by 23 percent.
• International flights carried the most passengers to and from London, followed by those to and from Copenhagen.
• The largest increase in foreign traffic was seen between Sweden and Gdansk, up by 31 percent.

According to the press release.