SKARP

The Swedish Transport Administration procures transport services to ensure basic interregional accessibility throughout Sweden. In some regions, air travel is the only realistic mode of transport for meeting these accessibility needs. In such cases, the Swedish Transport Administration may impose a public service obligation (PSO) on specific routes, with minimum requirements for departure frequency, capacity, pricing, and timetables.

At present, decisions on which routes to procure and how service requirements should be defined are based on consultations, aggregated passenger statistics, and general accessibility criteria. However, this approach lacks the level of detail and flexibility needed to reflect changing travel habits and regional mobility needs.

Beyond ensuring basic accessibility, the Swedish Transport Administration is now exploring a new model that gives regions greater influence over PSO decisions: regions may propose enhanced service levels on existing PSO routes and cover any additional costs. Regions may also apply for entirely new PSO routes beyond the state's basic provision, taking full responsibility for procurement and financing. The project Statistics, Mapping and Analysis of Travel in Regions with PSO Air Routes (SKARP) aims to substantially strengthen the data and analytical basis underpinning PSO-related decisions. By developing a data-driven model based on detailed flight data, travel behaviour, and mobility patterns of residents and visitors in the affected regions, the project will:

• Provide insights that better reflect actual mobility needs and improve the statistical basis for PSO decisions
• Enable a more transparent, evidence-based dialogue between the Swedish Transport Administration and regional stakeholders on the selection and design of PSO routes
• Investigate trends not captured by traditional data sources

To complement the quantitative analysis, the project will also include qualitative research, such as interviews and surveys, to explain patterns not visible in the data. It also includes a review of the current PSO procurement process in collaboration with the Swedish Transport Administration and other stakeholders (e.g. regions, airlines, and airports), as well as proposals for how the new model can support more efficient and needs-based procurement.

The goal is to deliver a robust decision-support model that improves the efficiency, transparency, and adaptability of Sweden's PSO air service system, thereby helping to ensure that public resources are used where they deliver the greatest societal benefit. This is also in line with the Swedish Transport Administration's research and innovation plan to prioritise a more efficient and inclusive transport system across the country, particularly the target area of accessible aviation for future needs, where the local significance of air services is among the topics mentioned in the relevant research questions.

RISE is the sole partner of the project. A reference group has been established, including representatives from airports, municipalities, airlines, and other stakeholders with an interest in issues concerning procured air services in Sweden. Regular check-ins are held with the reference group to ensure that the results are valuable and insightful.