Karlstad South Airport

The closure was a strategic decision based on infrastructural replacement and urban planning. The old airport, often known as Karlstad-Jakobsberg Airport, was located very close to the city center. This proximity limited runway extension possibilities, created noise pollution issues for nearby residential areas, and restricted the city's eastward expansion. A new, larger, and more modern airport was constructed further away from the city to accommodate larger aircraft (like the Boeing 737), meet stricter environmental and safety regulations, and allow for future growth in passenger and cargo traffic.

The site has been completely and permanently redeveloped. The former airport grounds have been transformed into a major commercial and retail zone. The area is now known as Jakobsbergs Handelsområde and Sola Business Park. Where the runway and terminal once stood, there are now large retail stores (including a prominent IKEA), big-box hardware stores, car dealerships, logistics centers, and office buildings. The aviation infrastructure has been entirely removed, although the general alignment of the old runway can still be faintly discerned in the layout of the new roads and buildings when viewed from satellite imagery.

For over 50 years, Karlstad-Jakobsberg Airport was the primary aviation hub for Karlstad and the surrounding Värmland region. It was crucial for regional connectivity, handling scheduled domestic flights, most notably the vital route to Stockholm Arlanda Airport, operated for many years by the Swedish domestic airline Linjeflyg and later SAS. The airport also supported charter flights to tourist destinations, air mail services, general aviation, and was the home of the local flying club (Karlstads Flygklubb). It played a significant role in the economic life of the region, supporting local businesses and tourism until it was rendered obsolete by its modern successor.

There are zero plans or prospects for reopening the airport. The land has been irreversibly repurposed for high-value commercial use. The extensive construction of buildings, roads, and utilities on the site makes any return to aviation activities physically impossible and economically unfeasible. All aviation needs for the region are served by the current Karlstad Airport (ESSK).