Abstract
This paper examines the role of regional airports in regional and municipal crisis preparedness based on evidence from a case study in Sweden. During the summer of 2018, Sweden experienced some of the most extensive wildfires in modern time. Aerial suppression, for which airports provided the essential preconditions, played an important role in extinguishing these fires. This study includes analyses of public policies that shape the Swedish airport system as well as evidence from interviews and a workshop with stakeholders. The results show that an efficiently operated network of regional airports is critical not only for crisis management but also to ensure important societal services such as health care in sparsely inhabited regions. Moreover, access to quick transportation by air is necessary for the Swedish Prison and Probation Service, tourism industry, public institutions and private businesses. Additionally intensified by effects of both the public debate on flight shame and the COVID-19 pandemic on air-based transportation, the insights arising from this study emphasise that the currently one-sided focus on the number of passengers is an insufficient foundation for the Swedish airport system to construct a resilient base for regional development, crisis management and civil defense.
Highlights
Aviation and the regional airports played a major role in fighting the fires
The results showed that regional airports are important for business, charter or regular travel but for a variety of activities and stakeholders in society
In addition to crisis management and operation, resilient aviation infrastructure is essential for public service, private business and industries as well as for national security and civil protection, which necessitates cooperation among many societal actors
Summary
Aviation and the regional airports played a major role in fighting the fires. These airports are important for the crisis management system, civil protection and regional development, the current Swedish airport system gives little attention to these roles. As shown below, this system primarily aligns with shareholder opinions undervaluing the role of air-based transportation for other societally important functions, i.e., critical infrastructure. Since an airport can be seen as a public utility, their performance should be assessed by their ability to meet the interests of all of their stakeholders [1]
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