Historical investment plan to ensure Swedish air travel connections

Swedavia has determined the direction of Stockholm Arlanda Airport’s continued development at a comprehensive level over the next 30 years. The development plan adopted entails measures to expand capacity, increase efficiency and heighten the experience for passengers at the airport. Fully implemented, the development plan includes SEK 13 billion in capital spending. 

In conjunction with the inauguration of the new Terminal 2 in 2013, the first step was taken in the development of Stockholm Arlanda Airport. To ensure Sweden’s long-term international access, Swedavia has now also set the direction for the continued development of the airport, which will take place as traffic at the airport grows.

“Stockholm Arlanda Airport plays a key role in enabling Sweden to realise opportunities for national and international exchanges. With this investment, we are enhancing not just the airport’s competitiveness but also the potential for continued growth in Sweden,” says Torborg Chetkovich, chief executive of Swedavia.

In the past three years, there has been record passenger growth, and today almost 21 million people fly annually via the airport. In the past year alone, passenger volume increased by over one million. In 2040, passenger volume is expected to climb to almost 35 million, which corresponds to an average annual increase of about 2 per cent.

“Expanding the existing terminal is the most cost-effective way to enhance the airport’s attractiveness, and as we now take another step in this development, we are investing primarily in Terminal 5, where we also see the largest passenger growth,” says Kjell-Åke Westin, airport director at Stockholm Arlanda Airport.

The long-term plan is divided into phases, with the first phase running for ten years. In concrete terms, the development plan includes a new pier in Terminal 5 designed to handle larger aircraft for long-haul destinations, an expanded security checkpoint and commercial space in the same terminal, as well as parking spaces close to the terminal and a brand new environmentally sustainable operations area. In all, capital spending for terminal development for the period 2014-2043 is estimated to be about SEK 13 billion, with just under SEK 7 billion of this allocated for the first phase.

“Developing long-term sustainable solutions will be integral to the future Stockholm Arlanda Airport. This will enhance our attractiveness and is also important since the area around the airport will employ an estimated 50,000 people by the end of the period,” Mr Westin adds.

In addition to the development at the airport, the environment in the vicinity will also undergo change. Following the inauguration of Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport in December 2012, new, modern office buildings will take shape in the area adjacent to the airport and create a dynamic cityscape. The next step in this development phase is the establishment of Sky City Office One, a planned office complex with 15,000 square metres of space to be located right next to the airport.