LFV counts on continued growth for aviation during 2011

In line with a growth in aviation of 12% during the first five months of the year, air navigation services provider of Sweden LFV is now revising its forecast upwards for 2011. The number of flight operations in Swedish airspace totalled 284 000 in the first five months of 2011.

“Our new basic forecast indicates a growth from 2.7% to 4.5% for 2011. The new forecast means that operations will total around 685 000 this year. The Swedish economy is strong which creates a strong need to travel,” says Lars Ahlm, Business Analyst at LFV.

In May 2011 the total number of operations in Swedish airspace rose to 65 000 which is an increase of 11%. Domestic traffic grew by 17%, international by 12% and en route by 6%. 
“However, since the Ascension Day public holiday weekend was in May in 2010 and in June in 2011, this results in May’s growth being exceptionally high.  Even so the underlying growth trend is clear and enduring,” explains Lars Ahlm.

The largest traffic volume in Swedish airspace is represented by en route traffic. This is air traffic which neither starts nor lands at a Swedish airport. During 2010 en route traffic represented 42% of the total volume of flights in Swedish airspace.  During the period of January to May 2011 en route traffic increased by 10%.

Despite the strong Swedish economy and the positive aviation forecasts, there are still areas for concern.
“Many European countries are struggling with economic hardship and the aviation industry is anticipating a rise in the cost of aviation fuel,”  concludes Lars Ahlm.

For further information, please contact Lars Ahlm, on +46 (0)708-39 22 07.

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LFV is a public enterprise with 1,350 employees that operates air navigation services for civil and military customers at 35 locations in Sweden. We have sales of over SEK 2 billion. LFV is one of Europe's leading actors in air navigation services. Our solutions for even safer and more cost-effective air navigation are being noticed, and in the area of environment we are at the forefront to minimize environmental impact.