For the first time in five years, the number of passengers has decreased during the period April–September over the past five years.
This is revealed in a new report from the Swedish Transport Agency.
During the period April–September 2018, 690,000 fewer passengers flew from Swedish airports than the Swedish Transport Agency forecast in the autumn of 2017. The authority writes this in the evaluation called “The first half of the year with Swedish aviation tax”.
“The lower number of passengers is likely due to some extent to the aviation tax, but also to other factors such as natural ups and downs in the aviation market and closed airlines,” the report states.
According to the Swedish Transport Agency, the number of passengers flying to Europe has continued to increase, but at a slower pace than before. Outside Europe, there is no change in the current trend.
“"The fact that a slowdown mainly occurs over short distances is consistent with research that says that travelers are more price-sensitive when traveling shorter distances. This may be due, among other things, to the fact that there are more options to choose from," writes the Swedish Transport Agency.
However, the authority emphasizes that it is still too early to draw "far-reaching conclusions" about the effects of the aviation tax on the market.
According to the budget presented by the Moderates and the Christian Democrats, the flight tax would be abolished. However, if an S-MP government with the support of the Center Party and the Liberals becomes a reality, the tax will remain.
Tax on air travel was introduced on April 1, 2018.
Source: di.se
