In 2023, the number of passengers at Swedish airports was a total of 29.8 million. It is approximately 20 percent lower than the number of passengers in 2019, according to the Swedish Transport Agency’s latest statistics.
Also Swedavia’s figures shows the same trend and it is above all domestic and intercontinental trips that have decreased. While travel within Europe is basically back at the same levels as 2019.
There are several reasons why Swedes fly less. One of them is that plane tickets have become more expensive, according to Jonas Åkerman, transport researcher at KTH.
– Since then, household finances have become more strained, so they have less money to move around with.
In the video above, Jonas Åkerman gives three more explanations for why Swedes fly less.
The increase may have stagnated
According to The Swedish Transport Agency’s passenger forecast international traffic, which makes up almost 90 percent of air traffic, will be up to 2019 levels already next year.
But Jonas Åkerman believes that there is a hint that air travel may have stabilized at the lower level. In the second half of 2023, the increase that has been going on since the pandemic slowed. Instead, Swedes’ flying decreased by a couple of percent.
– It is a very short period, so it is uncertain what conclusions can be drawn from it, but it is interesting to follow if it is a permanent trend, he says.
Provides emission reductions
A reduction in air travel by Swedes by 20 percent results in an emission reduction of approximately 1.5 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalents per year, Jonas Åkerman and his colleagues’ calculations show.
This means that Swedes’ emissions from air travel have decreased from around 9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide before the pandemic, to just over 7.5 million tonnes last year.
– It is a fairly large reduction, even if it is significantly less than what needs to be done to reach the climate goals, but it is a good step on the way, says Jonas Åkerman.