The already strained situation at Arlanda can get even worse during the weekend when many choose to travel. Swedavia Airports warns of this on its website. Especially Thursday and Saturday are expected to be extra intense travel days.
– We see some queues this morning but it is difficult to say anything in general about the times, because it changes from time to time. But it can at least be from 45 minutes and upwards, says David Karlsson, press officer at Swedavia.
– Our most important companion to all travelers is to be out in good time and to have contact with their airline or tour operator to see what they recommend. As far as you can, you should also arrive as prepared as possible at the airport, you can check in online for example, so you should do so.
The long queues at Arlanda are largely caused by the lack of staff. New recruitment is hampered by the fact that all new staff must be checked by Säpo and approved by the Swedish Transport Agency. According to David Karlsson at Swedavia, there have been plans for increased travel for a long time, but competition for resources makes it difficult to hire enough staff.
– It is not a question of reluctance. They have done everything they could to be able to recruit at the pace required, but it can be stated that it has not really been possible. It has been difficult to predict how the labor market would respond to needs.
Det kaos som råder på Arlanda skadar Sveriges rykte i världen mer än vi anar.
Har under den senaste tiden hört en rad skräckhistorier om köer, förseningar,missade flighter och möten mm.
En krisgrupp för omedelbara åtgärder bör upprättas mellan berörda myndigheter och företag.— Jan Eliasson (@JanKEliasson) May 25, 2022
The problems are not expected decrease until the autumn, when the summer travel pressure has decreased and the crew has caught up. Travelers have long expressed frustration over the situation and on Tuesday, diplomat Jan Eliasson wrote on Twitter that the problems at Arlanda risk damaging Sweden’s reputation. He further calls for starting a crisis group between companies and authorities to resolve the situation.
– Arlanda as an airport is Sweden’s most important transport hub and it is clear that it arouses great commitment among many people. Our and our partners’ focus is to do everything we can to solve this situation and take the measures we can to make it better in the future, says David Karlsson at Swedavia.