Finland, Estonia enhance air services cooperation

Estonia Air Navigation Services (EANS) and Air Navigation Services Finland (ANS Finland) decided to enhance their cooperation and procure a single Thales TopSky ATC system shared between Estonia and Finland,said EANS in an official press release.

A contract was signed with Thales during the World ATM Congress this week to move forward with the FINEST initiative for the provision of a single TopSky ATC system shared between Estonia and Finland.

FINEST is a bilateral cooperation programme between Estonia EANS and ANS Finland.

The objective of the FINEST programme is consistent dynamic, cost-efficient and competitive cross-border Air Navigation Service (ANS) provision for the benefit of airspace users," said the CEO of EANS, Tanel Rautits.

The programme will provide contingency solutions, give flexibility during periods of operation, bring cost efficiencies and improve the service provided to the airspace users,Rautits added.

"EANS and ANS Finland have worked together since 2005 in different areas. We have a similar historical and cultural background, but we need to strengthen our position in the Gulf of Finland area, which is why, the FINEST programme is a logical continuation in our cooperation," added Raine Luojus, CEO of ANS Finland

According to Luojus, at the moment, EANS and ANS Finland are both using similar but independent TopSky systems. In order to achieve the goals of FINEST, a joint Flight Data Processing System in required" added Luojus.

"Growing aircraft numbers makes air traffic management more complex, and requires increased collaboration between aviation stakeholders and particularly ANSPs. The contract signed today shows that EANS and ANS Finland are working systematically to meet the challenges of the market. I'm excited that we can work with both organisations to provide one single TopSky ATC system that will enable them to control both the Finish and Estonian FIRs" said Jean Ferré, Thales Vice President, Air Traffic Management activities.