Air traffic services are the result of cooperation between tens of thousands of operators. We are an integral part of this international chain of cooperation, in which countless small details must be in order.
Airlines and airports set flight schedules by arranging departure and arrival times using slot coordination. In Europe, slot-coordinated airports are governed by an EU regulation and harmonised international rules. For now, Helsinki Airport is the only slot-coordinated airport in Finland.
This means that disruptions are also reflected in the entire service chain. A snowstorm in Central Europe or a communication disruption in Singapore also affects flights departing from and arriving in Finland. Flight changes, cancellations and routing are the responsibility of the airlines.
Air traffic and airport operations are strictly regulated
Safety, security and environmental legislation, as well as international and national regulations, have a significant impact on our cost structure, investments and airport operations. For example, we invest tens of millions of euros a year in safety and security.
The pricing of airport services and the competence and qualifications of staff are also regulated. Certain positions require continuous training and maintenance of competence. These include the positions of fire and rescue personnel, security officers and maintenance and apron personnel.
A total of 1,500 companies and authorities operate at Finavia airports
A total of 1,500 companies operate at our airports, employing about 20,000 people. Every company and every employee has their own important role and duties in making millions of details work seamlessly together.
Airlines take care of the transport of passengers, baggage and cargo. They provide check-in and departure gate services, as well as baggage loading and unloading, and serve arriving passengers at arrivals desks. Airlines are also responsible for preparing on-board meals, refuelling their aircraft and deicing. These tasks are generally carried out by ground handling companies.
In addition to airlines and ground handling companies, airports are also served by retail, restaurant, currency exchange and car rental companies.
Airspace management and air traffic control services, which are part of air traffic management, are organised in different ways in different countries. In Europe, air navigation services are mainly provided by separate companies. In Finland, the traffic control company Fintraffic Oy is responsible for air traffic control services.
Authorities are responsible for the safety and security of airports In Finland, the competent authorities include, among others, the police, the Finnish Border Guard and Finnish Customs. Health security is the responsibility of the authorities within the administrative branch of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, and ultimately the wellbeing services counties.
In Finland, the authority supervising aviation safety is the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom. Traficom is also responsible for regulations and instructions concerning security control. These are based on, for example, international aviation regulations and EU legislation.
The ownership structure of airports varies
In addition to Finavia’s 20 airports, there are a few airports in Finland that are maintained by cities and municipalities. Finavia is not involved in these airports’ operations.
The ownership structure of airports varies by country. Airports can be owned by the state, municipalities, associations, private companies or public companies. The owners may manage one or more airports.