During the first quarter of the year, Swedavia's operating profit continued to improve. Investments in a larger commercial offering in the Arlanda marketplace also contributed to increased net sales and strengthened cash flow. The number of international travelers continued to increase, but with a subdued recovery rate due to several external factors. At the same time, the challenging development for domestic travel has continued.
"Despite slightly lower passenger volume, net sales for the first quarter of the year increased by SEK 67 million compared to the same period last year. Operating costs for the quarter decreased slightly, partly due to the milder winter, and overall operating profit for the first quarter was SEK 81 million better than the previous year," says Jonas Abrahamsson, Swedavia's President and CEO.
Swedavia's net sales for the first quarter of the year amounted to SEK 1,510 million (1,443), which is an increase of SEK 67 million compared to the previous year. Cash flow from operating activities for the quarter was positive and amounted to SEK 191 million (57), an improvement of SEK 134 million compared to last year. Operating profit amounted to SEK -136 million (-217), which is an improvement of SEK 81 million.
During the first quarter of this year, 6.6 million passengers traveled through Swedavia's ten airports. This is a decrease of 1.3 percent compared to the first quarter of 2024. This is the first quarter since the pandemic that Swedavia has reported a slight decline in the total number of passengers compared to the corresponding period the previous year.
-We live in a world that is currently changing rapidly and dramatically, both economically and geopolitically. How the ongoing trade war will affect the global economy and the airline industry is currently difficult to assess, but it is likely that the economic recovery will be delayed, which will also negatively affect demand for air travel, says Jonas Abrahamsson.
In January, Japan's largest airline ANA and the Arlanda-Tokyo Haneda route were welcomed to Arlanda. The airlines continue to invest in new traffic during the summer season, which is also the most travel-intensive period. Norwegian continues to broaden its offering at Arlanda with four new destinations and Ryanair is adding ten new destinations from Arlanda and Landvetter.
Ryanair is also adding two new aircraft to its Swedish fleet and bringing forward the start of operations for them from July 1 to June 1, which is positive for accessibility to and from the rest of Europe this summer. During the spring, Norwegian reopened the airline's pilot base at Arlanda.
In February, Arlanda opened the last part of the new Market Square and work to modernize the airport's infrastructure, piers and parking areas outside Sky City is continuing according to plan.
In March, the Arlanda Coordinator's interim report was released, focusing on road transport to and from Arlanda. Swedavia shares the view that this transport, just like the railway, needs to be strengthened. Swedavia looks forward to the coordinator's report and proposals leading to concrete measures in the near future that will help strengthen Arlanda's and thus the competitiveness of all of Sweden.
Swedavia began 2025 by issuing green bonds worth two billion SEK to finance the company's green investments and assets.
Swedavia continues to support the aviation transition and stimulate demand for sustainable biofuels when the company invests SEK 40 million for the third year in a row. Since the program's start in 2020, a total of SEK 135 million has been invested.
According to the press release.
