Flanking: "High time aviation was placed on an equal footing with other modes of transport"

“The state should take a firmer grip on the airport network to ensure access to air travel throughout the country,” said Anders Flanking, who submitted his inquiry to the government three weeks ago.

The former Governor of Gotland, Anders Flanking, has entitled the inquiry “Sweden’s airports in a changing world”. When commenting on his conclusions at Travel News’ aviation seminar on Wednesday, he also highlighted the changes:

- Demand for domestic air travel has fallen sharply, resulting in weaker finances and a reduced range of services. We also have the war in Ukraine and a deteriorating security situation, which require greater state control over the infrastructure.

He proposes expanding Swedavia from 10 to 19 airports. The company could establish a parent company with two subsidiaries, one operating the profitable major airports at Arlanda and Landvetter, and the other operating the remaining airports. Returns from the profitable company could be used to support the weaker one.

Anders Flanking believes it is high time that aviation was placed on an equal footing with other modes of transport:

- Aviation is part of the infrastructure, and we need it just as much as roads and railways. This requires greater state control over the airports.

During the inquiry, he visited every county and spoke to all airport owners.

– They are calling for a comprehensive approach and greater commitment from the state.

Among the inquiry’s proposals are longer, perhaps five-year, agreements with the 27 contingency airports, an investigation into a state-owned airline, a state fuel commission to drive the development of SAF, and more procured routes if they are not profitable.

– In Norway, all airports are state-owned, says Anders Flanking. We did not go that far with our proposals in the inquiry.