To operate an airport, a permit is required for basic operations, for example if a new runway is going to be built. The permit-granting agency is the regional Environmental Court. Various conditions are also attached to a permit. Changes in permit conditions must be made when changing operations, for example aircraft approach routes and take-off paths.
In case of minor changes in operations, a notification is submitted, for example if Stockholm Arlanda places a new aircraft parking stand in service or switches to a new anti-skid agent. The notification is submitted to the County Administrative Board, which is the permit-granting agency.
Public agencies
The Swedish Civil Aviation Authority has overall responsibility for civil aviation in Sweden and is entrusted with promoting safe, cost-effective, environmentally sound civil aviation.
The Stockholm County Administrative Board is a permit-granting agency.
The regional Environmental Court, which is part of the Stockholm City Court, is a permit-granting agency.
The rulings of the Environmental Court can be appealed to the Environmental Court of Appeal. This is part of the Svea Court of Appeal and is the final authority for cases that start at the County Administrative Board. The Supreme Court is the final authority for cases that start at the Environmental Court.
Processing an environmental matter
The average processing period for an environmental matter is 18 months. This is the process when Swedavia, formerly LFV, − which owns, operates and develops Stockholm Arlanda Airport − must apply for a permit to operate the airport:
- Swedavia consults with the regulatory agency (the County Administrative Board), the affected municipalities and other interested parties.
- Swedavia submits a permit application to the regional Environmental Court together with an environmental impact assessment.
- The Environmental Court announces the matter by placing an advertisement in the newspaper.
- The Environmental Court allows about six weeks for statements of opinion.
- The Environmental Court sends out the matter for written comments.
- As needed, Swedavia amends its application after the round of written comments. These amendments and comments may possibly be sent out for a further round of written comments.
- When this process is completed, a main court hearing is held.
- A ruling is published.
- Appeals to the Environmental Court of Appeal must be lodged within three weeks.