Based on the results of an impact assessment Swedish airport operator, Swedavia, is recommending the early closure of Bromma Stockholm Airport.
The airport’s current lease with the City of Stockholm is due to expire in 2038. However, Jonas Abrahamsson, Swedavia’s President and CEO said that ahead of that date, “Bromma will most likely have excess capacity due to low traffic volume for a long time going forward. In the long term, the cost of this will be borne by passengers and already wounded airlines, which we do not believe is possible.”
Ake Svensson, Chairman of Swedavia’s Board of Directors added: “In Swedavia’s view, given the new market situation, the continuation of operations at Bromma is no longer justified on commercial grounds and a consolidation of air traffic in the Stockholm region at Stockolm Arlanda Airport is possible. However, it is essential that Arlanda has the long-term conditions to develop in line with the needs of society.”
In the shorter term, Swedavia believes that should Bromma close early commercial air traffic can be handled at Arlanda. It also believes that with further investments in infrastructure needed at and around Arlanda, the airport needs to be able to continue to serve as a catalyst for the aviation industry’s ongoing transformation in response to climate change.
While focusing Stockholm’s air capacity at Arlanda could mean that, for some areas of Sweden, air links to Stockholm would deteriorate, at the same time some areas would benefit from better national and international connectivity by consolidating domestic and international traffic at one airport.
Svensson also advised however that while Swedavia reached its conclusion based on the commercial conditions of the company, a political decision to close Bromma ahead of time should be made taking a broader social perspective into consideration.
