Swedish government announces 500 million kronor aviation support package

The Swedish government on Thursday announced a support package worth 500 million kronor for the aviation sector, citing sharply rising jet fuel prices. The package was presented by Infrastructure and Housing Minister Andreas Carlson (Kristdemokraterna), Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson (Moderaterna), along with Thomas Morell (Sverigedemokraterna) and Helena Gellerman (Liberalerna), SVT Nyheter reports.

“If we do not provide these supports, there is a great risk that some departures will be cancelled. The situation is strained,” Svantesson said.

The package has three components. The first is a 400 million kronor grant for the aviation security and baggage fee system, intended to reduce costs for airlines. Carlson said the measure would lower the cost of a flight by 46 kronor per passenger. The support applies through the end of the year.

The second part prepares the government to temporarily impose public service obligations on important domestic routes in case of a route shutdown or withdrawal. The third part allocates 20 million kronor to regions to maintain ambulance flight and helicopter services for medical transport. “Fast transport can sometimes be a matter of life and death,” Carlson said.

The package is part of a previously announced crisis package totaling 17.5 billion kronor. The Green Party’s energy policy spokesperson Linus Lakso criticised the move, saying the government is “continuing to throw money at the fossil fuel industry” and worsening fossil fuel dependency instead of accelerating the transition.

SVT’s economics commentator Alexander Norén noted that the amount is relatively small and unlikely to significantly affect most Swedes’ daily lives or the aviation industry as a whole.