Aviation industry in Sweden - statistics & facts
As Sweden is in the heart of the Nordics, the aviation industry has been an essential sector of the country’s economy since the early 1900s. Since then, the country has made breakthrough achievements, such as establishing one of the first civil aviation authorities, the Swedish Transport Agency, and initiating the Swedish Space Corporation to support research and development projects in aerospace technology. Nowadays, Sweden is also one of the pioneers in implementing green aviation practices to decarbonize the aviation sector by incentivizing companies to utilize more Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
As of 2023, Swedish flag carrier SAS-Scandinavian Airlines emitted 3.4 million metric tons of CO2. The airline company aims to decrease carbon dioxide emissions by commercializing the usage of SAF in their flight operations. By 2030, five percent of all jet fuel will blend with sustainable aviation fuels to decrease the lifecycle of CO2.
Stockholm Arlanda Airport was also the leading airport in terms of the freight traffic. In 2023, the airport handled the most considerable freight volume of about 84,700 metric tons. In comparison, Göteborg Airport reported a volume of approximately 13,900 metric tons, significantly smaller than the figure registered by Stockholm Arlanda Airport.
As of 2023, Swedish flag carrier SAS-Scandinavian Airlines emitted 3.4 million metric tons of CO2. The airline company aims to decrease carbon dioxide emissions by commercializing the usage of SAF in their flight operations. By 2030, five percent of all jet fuel will blend with sustainable aviation fuels to decrease the lifecycle of CO2.
Which company is leading the Swedish aviation industry?
SAS AB, the parent company of SAS Scandinavian Airlines, was the largest air transport company in the Swedish aviation industry, reporting an employment number of more than 7,000 employees in 2024. SAS Scandinavian Airlines experienced continuous growth in annual revenue until the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which significantly restricted flight operations and affected the company’s performance severely. However, 2022, saw a large increase in revenue compared to the previous two years and the positive trend continued in 2023 when the revenue amounted to over 42 billion Swedish kroner. The rebounding flight operations also resulted in a rise in passenger traffic of the company, with an estimated total of 23.7 million passengers in 2023, a 32 percent increase compared to the previous year.Airport traffic at Swedish airports
The Stockholm Arlanda Airport was the busiest airport in 2023, having recorded a total of more than 94,600 aircraft landings. The airport also reported the largest number of passengers, amounting to 21.9 million. That year, the second busiest airport was Göteborg Airport which just hosted approximately 5.2 million passengers.Stockholm Arlanda Airport was also the leading airport in terms of the freight traffic. In 2023, the airport handled the most considerable freight volume of about 84,700 metric tons. In comparison, Göteborg Airport reported a volume of approximately 13,900 metric tons, significantly smaller than the figure registered by Stockholm Arlanda Airport.
