Mobilising resources for an accessible Sweden
Swedavia continues to work to ensure Swedish access, both within the country and to and from the rest of the world. During the first six months of 2018, 20.5 million passengers flew to or from the company's airports, a one per cent increase compared to the same period last year.
In order for air transport to develop further and to ensure Sweden's access, continued focus on sustainable growth and a shift to sustainable air travel are needed. The activities that took place during the quarter, together with the work carried out concerning the environment, show an industry united on the air travel of the future while continuing to safeguard the social value that air transport contributes.
During the first half of the year, 20.5 million passengers flew to or from Swedavia's airports, which is an increase of more than one per cent compared to the same period last year. While passenger volume increased during the first half of 2018, the pace of growth decelerated compared to the same period last year, and in May and June for the first time in many years a slight decrease in passenger volume was noted compared to the preceding year. A similar trend was not observed elsewhere in Europe. Given the deceleration in passenger growth, it is even more important that we continue our work to control costs in both the short and long term. The high investment pace to provide increased capacity continues.
For the first six months of the year, consolidated net revenue was up SEK 86 M to SEK 2,913 M (2,827), with the increase in revenue exceeding passenger growth. The operating profit for the first six months of the year was SEK 331 M (419). The earnout from the sale of Säve Airport had a positive effect on operating profit of SEK 55 M, whereas increased costs attributable to the effects of winter, IT, rents, airport protection and security services had a negative effect. The investment pace remains high, which is a result of the development programmes under way at Swedavia's big airports. During the first half of the year, investments totalled SEK 1,515 M (1,593).
"Air transport needs to be part of the transport of the future, and it is gratifying that the industry is collectively mobilising resources to meet the climate challenges we face. In order to handle the large passenger volume at our airports and the expected long-term passenger growth, we continue to develop and build the airports of the future," says Jonas Abrahamsson, president and CEO of Swedavia.