Stockholm Bromma Airport

To be or not to be?

The proposal to close Stockholm Bromma Airport (BMA) prematurely, is yet another worrying example of politicians’ lack of perspective, or even worse. To use current performance data, during an unprecedented pandemic outbreak, goes some way to demonstrate other underlying motives. The air transport industry is facing a massive challenge to comply with new and progressive requirements. It is being pointed out, and perceived, as a worse threat to the environment than it really is. Of course, it needs to change. And radically so. But that is actually what is underway. The electrification of aviation is happening, and the timing sits very well with the originally agreed timeline for BMA and could well mean a life far beyond 2038. Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) and its infrastructure is designed for large and long-range aircraft. The next generation short/medium range electric aircraft will not function well at ARN and given the size of the units compared to traditional aircraft; may not even be safe from an aerodynamic perspective.

Sweden is a very large country with significant distances between many of its cities. BMA has more than ever before the potential of connecting people and industry without the cost to the environment. A much better and forward-thinking solution would be to prepare BMA as a centre for the future, new and different, domestic aviation and connect it with a fast rail service to ARN for onward traffic.