Aviation to be restricted over Helsinki area July 15-17

Aviation will be restricted over Helsinki and its adjoining areas for the summit between the Presidents of Russia and the United States scheduled for July 16, police said.

The restrictions apply to both air traffic and unmanned aircraft, such as drones, according to an official press release.

The restrictions will begin at 6:00am on Sunday July 15, 2018 and end at 8:00 am on Tuesday July 17.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold their summit on July 16 in Helsinki.

The meeting comes at a time of uneasy relations between their countries. In recent years, the two sides have disagreed about a number of issues which include Russia’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict and its support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. In addition, United States officials have accused Russia of attempting to influence the 2016 US elections.

Before Trump arrives in Finland, he will attend a NATO meeting in Belgium, and make stops in Britain and Scotland.

During the summit, aviation, including the flying of drones and other unmanned aircraft, will be completely prohibited over central Helsinki and the area adjoining the Helsinki-Vantaa air traffic control zone, with the exception of commercial air traffic headed for or departing from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. No special permits will be granted.

“The visit will create an exceptional situation in which no risk of any kind can be taken. We hope that the public understands this. The restrictions are being imposed in order to guarantee the safety of our high-ranking guests and will promote the smooth implementation of security arrangements, since the authorities will have their own airborne operations in the area,” said Chief Inspector of the Helsinki Police Sami Hätönen.

“The public authorities have equipment at their disposal for detecting unauthorised aviation. In such cases, there will be a low threshold for intervention. Those who violate the restrictions may be committing a range of offences and their equipment could be confiscated as a means of committing an offence.”

Meanwhile, Finavia, the company operating country´s airports said that the presidential summit will restrict the possibilities for plane spotting and photographing.

The Helsinki Airport scenic terrace will be closed for three days, beginning on Sunday July 15 at 7:00 am. It will be opened for public again on 18 July at 7:00 am, after which the opening hours will return to normal.

During the presidents' visit the police may have to also restrict moving near to the security fences. In practice, these restrictions will affect plane spotting and photographing towards the airport.