Government investigator Peter Norman proposes that Skellefteå should "immediately" become one of the airports administered by state company, Swedavia.
At lunchtime on Wednesday, the former minister Peter Norman presented his investigation into the state's responsibility for the airports in Sweden commissioned by the government. The focus has been that "the needs of basic accessibility for citizens, businesses and socially important aviation throughout the country are met"
Also present at the presentation was Infrastructure and Housing Minister Andreas Carlsson (KD).
Peter Norman noted early on that it takes 24 hours to travel by train between Trelleborg and Kiruna. Then he asked the question how long does it take to travel by train between Stockholm and Skellefteå?
It was a rhetorical question, because he quickly stated that it is not possible as Skellefteå has no passenger rail traffic to Stockholm.
– Otherwise you have to take a train to Umeå and then a bus to Skellefteå, which can take twelve hours, says Norman during the press conference.
Norman first made a broad review of the aviation situation in Sweden with its significance, the passenger development, mainly after the pandemic, and an assessment of the current situation, which led to the conclusion that "the state should advance its positions" and that more airports should be included in the "national basic infrastructure".
The "national basic infrastructure" in practice means the airports owned and operated by the state-owned Swedavia.
Skellefteå Airport was once part of the state-owned Luftfartsverket. In 2010 it became part of Skellefteå municipality. Now the airport might again become state-owned.
"Skellefteå airport should be included immediately", is Norman's proposal. He argues: "Skellefteå is a hub in the new industrial revolution in Norrland.
– Even now, Skellefteå Airport has a fairly large number of passengers. There would be better accessibility if Skellefteå is incorporated into Swedavia, says Norman during the press conference.
He suggests that the state should start negotiations directly with Skellefteå and that Ängeholm and Kalmar can also become Swedavia airports a little later.
It was at the end of 2008 that the decision was made that the Swedish Civil Aviation Authority would no longer operate and own Skellefteå Airport. In 2010, Skellefteå municipality took over responsibility for the airport.
Municipal councillor Lorents Burman (S) says that Skellefteå municipality had in-depth discussions with the investigation in late autumn 2022.
– We think the proposal is very positive, but it is important that the state maintains the high level of ambition for the airport, he says.
A consultation round on the issue is now expected in the spring.