Swedavia airports handle record 32.4 million passengers in 2012
Swedavia stated (07-Jan-2013) its 11 airports handled 32.4 million passengers in 2012, a 3% year-on-year increase for a record year, surpassing the previous record in 2011 by around 900,000 passengers. The number of international passengers for 2012 increased by 4%, while domestic passengers increased 1%. At the same time, the number of landings in scheduled and charter operations declined 3%, marking around 6500 fewer landings compared to 2011 levels. The airport stated, "The result is a combination of increased air travel and lower greenhouse gas emissions". The number of passengers at Swedavia's airports was 2.3 million in Dec-2012, a 5% year-on-year reduction, with aircraft movements declining by 10% in the month. Swedavia CEO Torborg Chetkovich commented, "The greater need for travel to and from Sweden is now creating new opportunities to compete for non-stop routes, especially to rapidly growing economies around the world. If we want this to be a reality, we must understand the value of this to society and work together to make this a reality.... The trend toward more people flying while at the same time emissions from the aviation industry are reduced is clear evidence that air travel still has a future." The increase in the number of passengers, 900,000, was combined with some 6500 fewer landings at Swedavia's airports. [more - original PR - Swedish] [more - original PR - English]