The aviation tax will be abolished as of July 1, 2025, the government and the SD announced at a press conference.
Previously, the parties have opened up for a halving of the per-passenger aviation tax. Now the controversial tax will be abolished instead.
”"We are doing this to promote air traffic throughout the country and thereby improve accessibility throughout the country. It will simply result in reduced ticket prices," says Sweden Democrats group leader Linda Lindberg at the press conference.
The aviation tax was introduced in 2018 and has generated tax revenue of around SEK 1.8 billion per year.
For a traveler, this has meant a surcharge depending on the length of the trip. Within Europe, it has been about 76 kronor based on this year's tax rate, according to the Swedish Tax Agency's website, while trips to the USA have meant a tax of 315 kronor. For countries such as Thailand, it has been about 504 kronor per passenger.
Several consultation bodies have been critical of abolishing the aviation tax.
When asked by TT whether this will not mean that Sweden risks missing its climate goals, Linda Lindberg replies: "As far as our Swedish climate goals are concerned, it will not be a huge change. Our ambition is that this will increase the number of passengers on our flights, which in the long run means more air traffic. It will affect climate emissions, but that is something we will have to look at later."”
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M):
”"If you want to protect the ability to have good air connections and Sweden as an international hub, you must ensure that you do not discriminate against the competitive advantage that Sweden can have. This is both in line with long-term climate policy and protects the country's long travel opportunities," says Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
Minister of Energy and Enterprise Ebba Busch (KD) says at the same time that the abolition is extremely important for Swedish business.
”"This is very important for many companies and large parts of the business community — that we can maintain airline routes. It is also the case that a minority of countries within the EU have an aviation tax. This gives Sweden a very tough competitive disadvantage," she says.
Source: TT-DI.SE
