New figures from the aviation organization IATA show that Swedish aviation is taking off.
The largest increase is expected for international trips booked for August.
The Stockholm Chamber of Commerce has analyzed new booking data from IATA's Global Agency Pro system regarding the booking situation for scheduled traffic affecting Arlanda. Bookings for international flights to Arlanda during the third quarter of this year have increased by almost 400 percent compared to the same period last year. When it comes to domestic flights, it is about a doubling.
”"The recovery of aviation is expected, there is a pent-up need to travel. Increased vaccination rates and easing of restrictions in the world make it more attractive to travel," says Carl Bergkvist, business policy expert at the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce.
”"It's largely about holidaymakers. We're also seeing an increase in domestic flight bookings, Sweden is a large country."”
According to the Chamber of Commerce, international travel during the month of August stands out with the highest increase in the statistics. However, it is still some way off from normal levels. Bookings are still almost 70 percent lower than the corresponding period in 2019.
During the second quarter of 2020, bookings for Arlanda traffic fell by almost 90 percent compared to the third quarter of the same year.
”It will take time to get back to normal levels, but within a few years we will be back and then past these levels,” says Carl Bergqvist.
”"It is not possible to close Bromma prematurely, before Arlanda has been expanded with a runway. Otherwise, there is a risk of a traffic jam in Stockholm's airspace when the capacity at Arlanda runs out."”
What do you think of Skavsta and Västerås airports?
”They are good complements, but most important are airports near Stockholm.”
Do you share the view that business travel will decrease in the future?
”"It will probably go down, but business travel does not account for the bulk of travel. Then we will see increased air traffic as the population and the economy grow."”
How strong is the trend towards fossil-free fuels?
”"There's a lot happening there, electric aviation will appear on the commercial market before the decade is over. Aviation is facing an exciting and necessary transition," says Carl Bergkvist.
Here is another challenge for Arlanda.
”The planes are small and that means the number of takeoffs and landings will increase significantly.”
Source: di.se
