Sweden proposes nationalizing nine regional airports

The Swedish government has presented an extensive airport investigation aimed at securing the nation’s aviation infrastructure and national defense readiness. The proposal suggests that the state take greater responsibility for several regional airports. Specifically, nine airports—Arvidsjaur, Gällivare, Halmstad, Jönköping, Kalmar, Skellefteå, Skavsta, Sundsvall, and Örebro—would be nationalized. Additionally, eighteen other regional airports would receive state operating support covering 75 percent of their costs.

Anders Flanking, the investigator, recommends that Bromma Airport remain operational until at least 2033 to support the development of electric aviation and other innovations. The Swedish Travel Industry Association has welcomed the move, noting that sustainable aviation infrastructure is vital for tourism, which contributed 504 billion SEK to the economy in 2025.

Separately, the airline SAS is implementing strict cost-cutting measures due to rising fuel prices, which have exceeded 1,700 dollars per ton. These measures include an intensified hiring freeze, restrictions on business travel, and the potential cancellation or rescheduling of flights. Meanwhile, discussions continue regarding the decline of domestic aviation in Sweden, with critics noting that employer policies restricting domestic flights have contributed to a 40 percent decrease in travel since 2019.