We don’t travel as much today as we did before the pandemic. The aviation industry has also experienced this. – The state-owned Avinor is in an economic crisis with technical bankruptcy, says Erik Lahnstein, who is the managing director of NHO Luftfart. Erik Lahnstein, CEO of NHO Luftfart. Photo: Jonas Løken Estenstad / news Avinor currently has a financial loss of NOK 1.7 billion, says Lahnstein. Lahnstein believes that it should be the state that picks up the bill. But he fears that it is another group that will have to pay. – If the bill ends up with the air passengers, then there will be higher flight prices, potentially fewer departures and a weaker route offer, says Lahnstein. It will be the least profitable routes that will have the biggest consequences, Lahnstein believes. – It is important for us to travel to see family. Many people take it for granted to be able to meet close family without paying several thousand kroner. This is not the case for those who depend on flights. – We had to fork out NOK 10,000 for this trip, says Tom-Ørjan Magnussen. Tom-Ørjan Magnussen with the children at the airport in Alta. Photo: Jonas Løken Estenstad / news Magnussen lives daily in Hamar with his wife and children, but actually comes from Alta. Increased air ticket prices will have consequences for the family. – It is important for us to travel to Alta to see family. But if the tickets become even more expensive, it will mean that we travel less, says Magnussen. – The state must clean up its own company According to the Director of Aviation, the government has known that Avinor has been technically bankrupt for a year and a half. – The only thing the government has done so far is to give a record-breaking increase in fees to passengers and airlines, says Lahnstein. Lahnstein is critical of some of the choices the state has made. Tickets may be more expensive if the passengers have to cover the deficit to Avinor. Photo: Jonas Løken Estenstad / news – The government has chosen to tighten the tax-free scheme; it costs Avinor 400 million every year. In Norway, it is the case that the Armed Forces, the healthcare system, customs authorities and the police get cheap flights. – The other passengers pay for this arrangement, says Lahnstein. He believes that these players themselves must pay the costs they impose on Avinor. – Now the state must take responsibility for cleaning up its own company, says Lahnstein. State Secretary in the Ministry of Transport Bent-Joacim Bentzen (Sp) tells news that they are familiar with Avinor’s situation. State Secretary Bent-Joacim Bentzen Photo: Morten Brakestad / Ministry of Transport – We are working to find good solutions so that we ensure a continued good offer throughout the country, says Bentzen. Published 27.08.2024, at 19.41
ttn-69
Fears that the airline passengers will have to cover Avinor’s billion-dollar deficit – news Troms and Finnmark
