The first incident took place on 23 January. According to the Safety Investigation Authority, air traffic control gave clearance to a passenger aircraft to a runway area, that was at that same time occupied by three work machines that had permission to be there.
The second incident took place on 24 January. According to the Safety Investigation Authority, a commercial jet was, against the instructions of the air traffic control, taxiing to a runway at the Helsinki Airport, where a passenger aircraft was landing with permission. However, air traffic control intervened in the situation.
Air traffic control services at Finavia airports are currently the responsibility of ANS Finland, who for its part takes care of the safety and fluency of air traffic. Finavia has asked ANS Finland to provide its own report on the incidents.
“Even though nothing bad happened in these incidents, they were serious. It is important to us, that incidents are investigated thoroughly, and because of the investigation, air traffic security is improved. To Finavia, the absolute safety of air traffic is a priority in all circumstances”, says Juha-Pekka Pystynen, Finavia’s Senior Vice President, responsible for Risk Management.
Despite the hazardous incidents, flying is, according to many studies, one of the safest means of travel.
