Continued strong passenger growth produces record year

The number of passengers who flew to or from Swedavia’s airports increased six per cent in 2017 to 41.9 million passengers. The company’s focus remains on investments to enhance capacity and on sustainable work to meet the increased demand for air capacity.

In 2017, nearly 42 million passengers flew to or from one of Swedavia’s airports, an increase of six per cent compared to the previous year. Continuous strong passenger growth helped set records at seven of Swedavia’s airports. The biggest increases were noted at Stockholm Arlanda Airport, Kiruna Airport, Åre Östersund Airport, Visby Airport and Göteborg Landvetter Airport. Overall, international travel was up eight per cent and domestic travel was up two per cent compared to the previous year.

Swedavia works continuously to make operations more efficient and embrace technological advances while the company works with great focus towards its target of zero tonnes of fossil carbon dioxide in its own operations by 2020. Swedavia wants to be a driving force on sustainability issues associated with the air travel industry in general since sustainable operations with a focus on customer satisfaction, innovation and digitisation create the right conditions for the future.

Consolidated net revenue for the year increased SEK 199 M to SEK 5,745 M (5,546), largely as a result of the passenger increase. Operating profit totalled SEK 651 M (966). Operating profit for the year was negatively affected by SEK 160 M attributable to impairment losses and disposals. Operating profit in 2016 was affected by capital gains of SEK 241 M attributable to the disposal of Säve Airport and the sale of a hotel. Excluding items that affect comparability, operating profit was SEK 811 M (799), an improvement compared to the previous year.

"It is gratifying that, despite capacity challenges, we managed to handle more passengers during the year than ever. Meanwhile, we are working full out building the airports of the future, which provide the foundation for sustainable growth for Sweden. This is possible thanks to engaged employees and good collaboration between customers and partners," says Jonas Abrahamsson, president and CEO of Swedavia.

Many large-scale projects to develop the airports of the future have entered an increasingly intensive implementation phase, and a number of projects have been completed. During the fourth quarter, Swedavia had capital spending of SEK 1,281 M (841), and for the full-year 2017, investments totalled SEK 3,866 M (2,138). The large amount of capital spending during the year is an effect of the efforts Swedavia has made to accelerate the pace of development programmes at its big airports. This work has been carried out while at the same time we have managed to handle the large passenger increase.

The Board of Directors proposes a dividend of SEK 122 M (143), in accordance with the company’s dividend policy.

For further information, please contact Ulrika Fager, head of external relations, Swedavia tel. 010-10 90 100

This is information that Swedavia AB (publ) is required to disclose under the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Securities Market Act. The information was provided by the contact person above for publication on February 14, 2018, at 5:00 p.m. CET.