More Swedes are positive than negative about an aviation tax, shows a survey conducted by Sifo on behalf of Svenska Dagbladet.

48 percent say they are ”very positive” or ”fairly positive” about the aviation tax, while 33 percent are very or fairly negative. 18 percent cannot or do not want to answer.

”The result is surprising, since voters don't usually like new taxes,” says Karin Bäckstrand, a professor of political science at Stockholm University who specializes in environmental issues.

”"But the climate threat has been in focus a lot. I think people are more willing to pay taxes when it comes to a global problem that is described as a threat to the planet. Quite a few Swedes have climate anxiety," she tells the newspaper.

The flight tax will be introduced on April 1 and will increase the price of air travel within the EU by SEK 60, while long-distance flights will be SEK 250–400 more expensive.

1,161 people aged 18-79 participated in the survey, where the question was: "What is your attitude towards aviation taxes?".

Source: TT