Skellefteå Airport – A Vision for the Airport Terminal of the Future

How do you build an airport that’s ready for the travelers of the future, new fuels, and changing transportation systems? For Skellefteå Airport, this question has been a pressing one for over a decade.
– No decisions have been made yet; this is a vision. But we’ve been working for a long time on the question of how to future-proof our airport, says Robert Lindberg, airport director at Skellefteå Airport.

The current terminal was built in 1961 and has its limitations. In 2014, a project was launched to investigate what is needed to meet future needs—both technically, functionally, and in terms of the passenger experience. Since new terminals are built relatively rarely, the work has focused heavily on monitoring industry trends and learning from best practices, both nationally and internationally.

– Often, terminals are renovated, as at Arlanda. We’ve taken a broad view and tried to draw on as much expertise as possible, both locally and nationwide. The goal has been to think innovatively about the traveler’s experience, but also to create something that is flexible and can grow over time, says Robert.

In this work, the team has taken a broad view, considering not only function and capacity but also identity. If the plans come to fruition, a future terminal should feel like Skellefteå—with a wooden aesthetic, sustainable material choices, and a clear connection to the location.

– It should be an attractive environment to spend time in. People should be able to see the planes, meet relatives as they land, and feel that there are softer values to travel. That has been important in this work, he says.
During Society Expo 2026, this vision will be brought to life. Skellefteå Airport plans to showcase a VR-based vision of how a new terminal could function.

– At SE26, we want to show how a future terminal could be built. It will be an exhibition that’s just as relevant for Skellefteå residents as it is for visitors from out of town, says Robert.

The vision also includes a new strategic location on the other side of the runway, where different modes of transportation can be integrated.

– Looking ahead, there’s an opportunity to bring air, road, and rail transport significantly closer together, especially once the Norrbotnia Railway is in place. Then we’ll have three transportation routes within 3 kilometers and four within a mil if we look toward the port. This creates the conditions for efficient flows of goods, transshipment, and even total defense. These are visions, but important ones to highlight, says Robert.

Work on the airport’s future is proceeding in parallel with the government’s airport study, but the operational focus remains unchanged.

– We’re continuing to work within our mandate and developing the best possible basis for decision-makers. Skellefteå Municipality has been an owner that believes in the big picture. Without that, we wouldn’t have come this far in sustainable aviation, drones, and hydrogen, says Robert.

He also highlights the collaboration among the municipality’s companies as a key strength.

– We have an unusually close collaboration, for example with Skellefteå Science City, Skellefteå Kraft, and public transportation through Skellefteå Buss. This network of stakeholders means an incredible amount for the future of mobility.