Swedavia's second quarter is characterized by a continued recovery in air travel, and turnover of just over SEK 1.5 billion for the period is the highest single quarter since the start of the pandemic. Cash flow from operating activities improved both on a quarterly basis and for the half-year, and operating profit excluding items affecting comparability amounted to SEK 64 million for the quarter. Airport investments continue, and during the second quarter, the new central security checkpoint at Stockholm Arlanda Airport was successfully put into operation. The range of destinations and routes at Swedavia's airports has been strengthened.

During the second quarter, Swedavia's airports had almost 9 million passengers, an increase of almost 14 percent compared to the same period last year. For the six-month period, the number of passengers amounted to almost 16 million, an increase of 32 percent compared to last year. The positive passenger development is mainly a result of increased international travel within Europe.

-The quarter is characterized by high business activity, increased revenues, strengthened cash flow and overall a positive earnings trend for our operational airport operations. At the same time, the costs of adapting operations to the growing passenger volumes have increased as planned to ensure the quality of our delivery and improve the passenger experience, not least during the summer peak travel season. We continue to invest in the development of the airports and the successful commissioning of Arlanda's new security checkpoint during the quarter is an important milestone in the airport's development, says Jonas Abrahamsson, Swedavia's CEO and Group Chief Executive. 

Swedavia's net sales for the second quarter amounted to SEK 1,539 million (1,303). Operating profit amounted to SEK 5 million (67), while operating profit excluding items affecting comparability such as capital gains and impairment losses amounted to SEK 64 million (71). Cash flow from operating activities improved both on a quarterly basis and for the half-year and amounted to SEK 164 million and SEK 145 million, respectively.

In connection with this year's summer traffic program that began at the beginning of the quarter, the destination and route offering has been further developed with new flight routes from, among others, Arlanda to Amman, Tunis and New York, and from Landvetter to New York, Rome and Barcelona. In total, Swedavia offers almost 300 destinations during the summer and at Arlanda, the destination offering is now largely back to what it was before the pandemic. 

Summer travel means seasonally increased travel pressure at Swedavia's airports, and Swedavia's ten airports around the country welcome nearly 100,000 travelers every day, the majority of which at Arlanda. 

– During the quarter, we have had some of the most travel-intensive days of the year and our operational capacity has been good so far, not least with regard to the new security check at Arlanda. However, the aviation industry in general continues to be characterized by common challenges for European airports, in the form of strikes, capacity challenges at airline and ground handling companies and a crowded European airspace which during the travel-intensive summer period can also have knock-on effects and affect punctuality at our airports, says Jonas Abrahamsson. 

During the quarter, Swedavia continued to invest and develop the airports' passenger offering. The investment rate increased in the quarter and amounted to just over SEK 0.5 billion and to almost SEK 1 billion for the first half of the year. At Arlanda, the new central security checkpoint was put into operation in June. Gothenburg Landvetter Airport has been upgraded with new retail space and the food and beverage offering has been renewed at Luleå Airport.

– The new security check together with the upcoming opening of the marketplace are important milestones in the development of Sweden's largest airport and will contribute to a significantly improved traveler experience. The response from both travelers who have had a faster start to their journey and from employees who have had a greatly improved working environment has so far been very positive. We are now looking forward to the next step when we open the first part of Arlanda's 11,000 square meter marketplace after the summer with a significantly improved commercial offering of shopping as well as food and drink, says Jonas Abrahamsson. 

According to the press release.