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