Intensive break days prevail at the Swedish Transport Agency.
After British Airways violated the flight ban, all planes from the UK are now being inspected – around the clock.
”"It is not manageable over time to do this," says press manager Mikael Andersson.
When around 30 people from London arrived at Arlanda on Saturday, the airline British Airways violated the flight ban for passenger planes from the UK.
The ban was introduced on December 21 due to a newly discovered mutation of the coronavirus, and is valid until the end of the year.
At the same time, there is a ban on entry to Sweden from both the UK and Denmark - with the exception of Swedish citizens.
This led to a misunderstanding at British Airways, according to the Swedish Transport Agency.
”"We thought it was okay to fly Swedish citizens home. But the flight ban is absolute, which means that the flight was not okay," says Mikael Andersson, press manager at the Swedish Transport Agency.
Saturday's incident has led to the Swedish Transport Agency now reviewing all flights from the UK to Sweden. In practice, it is the flight's itinerary that is being reviewed, a plan that is submitted to air traffic control three hours before departure.
This includes information about the type of flight and whether there are passengers on board.
”"It's a round-the-clock job, as flights are running 24/7. We regularly receive new information about new flight plans," replies Mikael Andersson.
Violations of the flight ban happen "extremely rarely," according to Mikael Andersson. Similarly, scrutiny of travel plans is unusual.
The Swedish Transport Agency will review travel plans for as long as the flight ban is expected to last, i.e. until the end of the year. If it is extended, a new decision will have to be made, but the time-consuming work is not manageable over time, Mikael Andersson emphasizes.
”"This is a temporary measure right now to further secure due to what happened. We have an extreme situation in the form of a pandemic, and it may leave room for misunderstandings."”
Source: TT
FLIGHT AND TRAVEL BAN — THIS APPLIES
On December 21, the government decided to stop all passenger flights from the UK to Sweden for 48 hours.
The flight ban was extended on December 23 and is now in effect until December 31, 2020.
In addition, a temporary ban on entering Sweden from the UK and Denmark also applies until January 21, with certain exceptions.
The entry ban for the United Kingdom applies with the following exceptions:
– Swedish citizens
– People who live or work in Sweden
– People in the transport sector and diplomats
– People with urgent family reasons
Source: Government Offices
