Domestic air travel has dipped as climate-conscious Swedes opt for train. But will \u2018flight shame\u2019 become the norm \u2013 and what might it mean for business travel?<\/p>\n
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This year\u2019s Swedish buzzword is a travel trend: flygskam<\/em>, which translates as “flight shame”. It encourages people to stop flying to lower carbon emissions and take the train instead. Then they can indulge in a spot of t\u00e5gskryt<\/em> (“train bragging”) by posting pictures on the 90,000-strong T\u00e5gsemester<\/a> (“train holiday”) Facebook group or using the hashtag #jagstannarp\u00e5marken<\/a> (“I stay on the ground”). Too busy to take the train? Att smygflyga <\/em>(“flying in secret”) may result.<\/p>\n Flygskam is changing Swedish travel habits. Some public figures have given up flying, including opera singer Malena Ernman, mother of teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg. Thirty-seven per cent now say<\/a> they choose trains instead of flights when possible, up from 20% just 18 months ago. The number of domestic passengers at airports owned by operator Swedavia fell 15% in April<\/a> compared to the same month last year. It\u2019s affecting business travel too: the main Swedish train operator, SJ, reported a 12% rise<\/a> in business passenger numbers in the first three months of this year. As more Swedish businesses adopt rail-friendly travel policies, workers are taking the train to meetings in London, Frankfurt and Geneva \u2013 the latter involving a 23-hour journey from Stockholm<\/a>.<\/p>\n Though train bragging is mainly a European phenomenon (and unlikely to deter super-commuters<\/a>), the global air industry is worried. “Unchallenged, this sentiment will grow and spread,” says Alexandre de Juniac<\/a>, head of the International Air Transport Association.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n This is one of the 101 indispensable things you need to know about work today. Click here <\/a>to see the rest.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Image credit: Piero Zagami and Michela Nicchiotti.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n