Sweden : Extra billions to SAS – but with stricter climate requirements

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) Airbus A320 planes are parked at Copenhagen airport in Kastrup, Denmark, March 15, 2020. (Johan Nilsson/TT News Agency via REUTERS)
The government wants to pump several billion kronor into Scandinavian airline SAS and airport operator Swedavia to make up for Corona-related losses. But there are climate strings attached, and the expansion of Stockholm’s Arlanda airport will be put on hold.

At a press conference in Stockholm on Monday, the Social Democrat and Green government and its two co-operating partners in parliament, the Center and the Liberal Party, announced that they want to invest up to 5 billion kronor in SAS, which has been hit hard by the Corona-crisis.

The extra Swedish money is subject to a vote in parliament, and will also need to pass the scrutiny of EU’s rules on government subsidies.

“Sweden will only invest money into SAS, if they meet clear and quantifiable criteria on lower emissions in line with the 1.5-degree target in the Paris agreement.”Per Bolund, spokesperson for the Green Party, Minister for Financial Markets

Another 3.150 billion kronor will go to state-owned Swedavia, which runs 10 of Sweden’s major airports. In a statement, the company welcomed the money, while also announcing that the expansion of Stockholm Arlanda airport, including a new pier and improved baggage handling, will be put on hold till further notice.

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Related stories from around the North:

Canada: Nunavut airlines get $24M governmental aid for COVID-19 in Arctic Canada, CBC News

Finland: Finland eases curbs on cross-border travel, public events, Yle News

Greenland/Denmark: COVID-19 could delay Kingdom of Denmark’s Arctic strategy, Eye on the Arctic

Iceland: Iceland and Greenland implement COVID-19 testing for travellers, Eye on the Arctic

Norway: Scandinavian airlines cancel thousands of flights and lay off most of their employees, The Independent Barents Observer

Sweden: Sweden to lift domestic travel restrictions in mid-June, Radio Sweden

United States: Airline shutdown creates new challenges for rural Alaska, The Associated Press

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