The Swedish government announced the abolition of the air ticket tax, effective July 1, 2025, following IATA’s concerns that it hurt economic competitiveness without environmental benefits.
Introduced in 2018, the tax varied from SEK76 to SEK504 per ticket and is expected to lead to a significant reduction in tax revenue, projected at SEK870m in 2025 and increasing thereafter.
The Swedish government’s decision is part of broader growth reforms aimed at improving infrastructure, research, and business operations, as well as shifting to European aviation regulatory measures while promoting sustainable aviation fuels.
IATA said the move is recognition that taxing air travel is economically counterproductive and ineffective for environmental goals.
Swedish airline Braathens Regional Airlines said in a statement: “Regardless of the actual climate impact of a passenger’s specific flight, the flight tax is the same. In addition, aviation’s climate-affecting carbon dioxide emissions in our market are already regulated by the European Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS), which is undergoing significant change where the free allocation is rapidly being phased out. In conclusion, starting in 2025, a blending requirement of SAF/biofuel will be introduced within the EU,” the airline said in a statement.
