Yesterday, the companies and authorities that have the opportunity to improve the serious queue situation at Arlanda met at the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce for a crisis meeting. Despite the fact that the problem has been acute for several months, many measures have not been taken. The government needs to immediately appoint a crisis group that takes the extraordinary measures that will quickly shorten the queues.
–It is clear that many actors have not acted quickly and forcefully enough, but have relied on their established routines. The government has so far stuck its head in the sand and pointed fingers at others, but that is not enough when state authorities and companies cannot cooperate, says Andreas Hatzigeorgiou, CEO of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber of Commerce is now demanding that the government immediately appoint an interdepartmental crisis group together with relevant authorities to jointly take the extraordinary measures and exceptional decisions that can quickly shorten the queues. These could include, for example:
- Assign the Security Service, the County Administrative Board and the Swedish Transport Agency to prioritize security assessments linked to socially critical transport infrastructure.
- Regulatory inventory at the ordinance and regulation level with the aim of simplifying and shortening security screening and security control work while maintaining security.
- The Stockholm municipalities and the Public Employment Service must actively search among the unemployed for suitable candidates to start working at Arlanda. Unauthorized personnel should be recruited to carry out tasks that do not require security clearance, provided that this can be done without violating regulations.
- Ensure that personnel with equivalent security clearance, not necessarily for airport work, can move to Arlanda without further security clearance. Airport controllers are already being moved from other airports to Arlanda. Now, security guards from other security facilities should also be moved – guards and security guards who have equivalent security clearance and the competence to complete the tasks after rapid training on site.
- That the government takes on the financial risk that arises when actors are forced to deviate from routines, if it makes it easier for the authorities to solve the task.
- That Swedavia receives sufficient support to implement queue optimization measures outside the customs filter, which will allow for faster passage. For example, helping travelers to have their luggage and clothes in order before reaching the security checkpoint.
- That the government takes the same type of exceptional measures as it did during the pandemic to ensure that Arlanda functions. For example, giving Swedavia a mandate to deviate from the procurement principle in order to find solutions more quickly.
– It is good that efforts are being made to optimize queues and use personnel without security clearance for the tasks that are available. When Sweden was hit by the pandemic, we were able to gather strength and reconsider regulations and routines. We know that Sweden has the ability to act quickly and resolutely, but it requires leadership and action, says Andreas Hatzigeorgiou.
–Due to our geography, Sweden is dependent on aviation and Arlanda is therefore our gateway to the world. The airport must function for us to be competitive as a capital region and country. In addition, it must function for our airlines and the operations at Arlanda to survive, says Andreas Hatzigeorgiou.
