Southwind denied permission to operate flights to Finland

The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) rejected the application of Southwind Airlines to operate flights to Finland due to the airline´s link to Russian stakeholders, said Traficom in a press release on Monday.

The air carrier, operating from Türkiye requested permission from the Traficom to commence flight operations to Finland.

Traficom has informed the airline that it cannot be allowed to operate flights to Finland.

Based on Traficom's overall assessment, the substantial ownership and effective control of the airline is not vested in the Contracting Party designating it or in its nationals, as would be required by the applicable Air Services Agreement, said Traficom.

Therefore, the operations by Southwind Airlines would not be permissible under the EU Sanctions Regulation, said the press release.

"Our overall assessment shows that the substantial ownership and effective control of Southwind Airlines is not held by the stated Turkish individuals or companies. We have concluded that the airline and its control are linked to Russian stakeholders", said Traficom Director General Jarkko Saarimäki.