LFV: Air traffic continues to decrease
14-Sep-2012 Air traffic in Swedish airspace decreased by almost 5% in August compared to the same month last year. This is shown by LFV's traffic statistics for last month. The result is a reduction in number of flights for the sixth consecutive month.
"Air traffic in Sweden is being affected by the sluggish economic growth we are seeing nationwide as well as the economic instability which has already hindered growth in Europe for a time. Additionally, we have had a high aircraft fuel price for an unusually extended period," says LFV's Business Analyst, Lars Ahlm.
Domestic and international traffic decreased by 6% and 5% respectively in August whilst en-route traffic declined by over 3%.
The accumulated total for the first eight months of 2012 demonstrates a reduction in flights by almost 2% compared with the same period in 2011.
"The augmentation in en-route traffic has been due to growth economies in Asia. However, when those economies slow down we see a direct effect in Swedish airspace," clarifies Lars Ahlm.
Due to the weak outcome during the first six months of 2012 combined with a strong traffic result in the autumn of 2011, LFV has reviewed the traffic prognosis for 2012 downward to 2%.
"It is most probable that, in the relatively near future, we will need to review the prognosis in line with the weak growth experienced in the past two months," concludes Lars Ahlm.