Additional billions for SAS | Polarjournal

The government only wants to support SAS if investments are made in lower-emission aircrafts. SAS received its first of eight A350-900s in November 2019 and is already relying on state-of-the-art technology. (Photo: H. Gousse, Airbus)

Sweden’s social democratic and green government wants to support the Scandinavian airline SAS with up to 5 billion Krona (0.47 billion Euros). The aim is to compensate for the losses associated with the Covid-19 virus. The government is imposing climate regulations and the expansion of Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport is to be abandoned.

Stockholm/Arlanda Airport is the international airport of the Swedish capital Stockholm. It handles around 25 million passengers per year and serves as a base for SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Norwegian and TUIfly Nordic. (Photo: Swedavia)

At a press conference in Stockholm last Monday, the Social Democrat and Green government and their two cooperation partners in parliament, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party, announced these measures.

The additional Swedish money is subject to a vote in parliament and must also pass the examination of EU rules on state subsidies.

“Sweden will only invest money in SAS if it meets clear and quantifiable criteria for lower emissions in line with the 1.5-degree target of the Paris Agreement.” This was announced by Per Bolund, spokesman for the Green Party and Minister for Financial Markets, at a press conference.

Swedavia is a state-owned company headquartered in Stockholm/Arlanda. It was established on April 1, 2010, when the Swedish airline LFV split into airport operations and air traffic control. (Photo: Swedavia)

A further 3,150 billion Krona (0.3 billion Euros) will go to Swedavia. The state-owned company operates Sweden’s 10 most important airports. In a statement, the company welcomed the support. However, Swedavia announced that the expansion of Stockholm Arlanda Airport, including a new gate and improved baggage handling, will be put on hold until further notice.

Heiner Kubny, PolarJournal

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