The Swedish government has decided to abolish the controversial aviation tax, sparking criticism from environmental researchers and political commentators alike.

The tax, initially introduced to offset the lack of VAT on international flights, was seen as a necessary measure to address the significant climate impact of air travel, which is comparable to that of personal car traffic in Sweden.

Researchers, including Jonas Åkerman from KTH, argue that removing the tax increases the tax exemption for a sector with substantial emissions, likening it to having zero VAT on fossil-fueled cars.

The government justifies the decision by pointing to EU measures like the Emissions Trading System, but critics highlight that these only cover intra-EU flights and ignore high-altitude emissions.

The move has also been politically contentious, with opposition parties accusing the government of irresponsible climate policy, potentially fueling further political debate.