Ärna
Encyclopedia
Ärna or Uppsala Airport is an airport
located northwest of Uppsala
, Sweden
. It was formerly a base of the Swedish Air Force
and the home of the 16th Fighter Wing
(F 16).
In 2009, it was announced that the Armed Forces had the intention to phase out its airport unit on July 1, 2010 and hand over the operation of the airport to a private operator. However, on 19 December 2009, it was announced by the Supreme Commander that the Armed Forces will continue with its military air operations at the airport. This is because the alternative proposals to locate the flight operations were not feasible.
On 18 April 2011, the Environmental Court (Miljödomstolen) ruled that commercial air traffic at Ärna would be likely to have a significant impact on the environment, and recommended the government to decline Uppsala Airport AB's application.
, 40% of the 576 respondents were in favour of a commercial airport while 39% were against and 21% were undecided.
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
located northwest of Uppsala
Uppsala
- Economy :Today Uppsala is well established in medical research and recognized for its leading position in biotechnology.*Abbott Medical Optics *GE Healthcare*Pfizer *Phadia, an offshoot of Pharmacia*Fresenius*Q-Med...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. It was formerly a base of the Swedish Air Force
Swedish Air Force
The Swedish Air Force is the air force branch of the Swedish Armed Forces.-History:The Swedish Air Force was created on July 1, 1926 when the aircraft units of the Army and Navy were merged. Because of the escalating international tension during the 1930s the Air Force was reorganized and expanded...
and the home of the 16th Fighter Wing
F 16 Uppsala
F 16 Uppsala, Upplands Flygflottilj, Uppland Air Force Wing or simply "F 16" is a Swedish air force base located just north of Uppsala on the east coast of Sweden...
(F 16).
In 2009, it was announced that the Armed Forces had the intention to phase out its airport unit on July 1, 2010 and hand over the operation of the airport to a private operator. However, on 19 December 2009, it was announced by the Supreme Commander that the Armed Forces will continue with its military air operations at the airport. This is because the alternative proposals to locate the flight operations were not feasible.
Commercial flights
The company Uppsala Airport AB (formerly Uppsala Air AB), formed in 2004, has applied to the government for permission to start commercial aviation at Ärna. The company claims, based on calculations made in 2009 and 2010, that in five years' time the airport could serve up to 1.6 million passengers every year. The emphasis would primarily be on low cost flights and charter flights.On 18 April 2011, the Environmental Court (Miljödomstolen) ruled that commercial air traffic at Ärna would be likely to have a significant impact on the environment, and recommended the government to decline Uppsala Airport AB's application.
Criticism
Strong criticism has been expressed both from several environmental organizations and local residents against opening a commercial airport at Ärna. According to a poll among people from Uppsala municipality, conducted in June 2010 by an opinion research institute on behalf of Sveriges RadioSveriges Radio
Sveriges Radio AB – Swedish Radio Ltd – is Sweden's national publicly funded radio broadcaster. The Swedish public-broadcasting system is in many respects modelled after the one used in the United Kingdom, and Sveriges Radio - like Sveriges Television - shares many characteristics with...
, 40% of the 576 respondents were in favour of a commercial airport while 39% were against and 21% were undecided.