An extensive airspace reform was last carried out in Finland in 2014. Over the past ten years, the world has changed significantly, and new types of user needs have emerged in e.g. lower airspace. Fintraffic Air Navigation Services is involved in the Airspace2027 project, which will update Finland's airspace to meet these changed user needs. What is the project all about?
Finland's safe and flexible airspace is the starting point for all air traffic in Finland. Finland already has an efficient, economical and environmentally-friendly airspace, which will be updated with the Airspace2027 project to meet new user needs that have emerged over the past decade. The aim is for the updated airspace to better support competitive air connections throughout Finland and from Finland abroad taking safety, fluency and the environment into consideration. Traficom is responsible for heading the project.
"With the expansion of green energy, we now need to take factors such as wind and solar power plants into account. In addition to this, the needs and fleet of our commercial and leisure aviation stakeholders have changed. Reducing emissions will play a key role in this reform. In addition to which the airspace must be updated to meet military use needs from the perspective of new equipment procurements for the Defence Forces and NATO's potential training areas. We at Fintraffic Air Navigation Services are tasked with taking the equal use of airspace into account, coordinating and enabling this for all operators, says Kari Kerke, Development and Quality Director at Fintraffic, Air Navigation Services.
In addition to airspace, the project examines the potential needs for changes to flight methods resulting from new user needs. Many countries in Europe are currently carrying out similar airspace reforms, which underlines the importance of advance coordination. While countries are developing the use of their national airspace, operating systems must be updated at the European level to ensure seamless and safe air traffic compatible with new airspaces.
"These new user needs may necessitate changes to regulations or the Aviation Act. It is essential that we identify the needs for change sufficiently early, as legislative amendments always take quite some time. Finland has an abundance of expertise in the aviation sector, a good team spirit and the willingness to develop the sector. Various aviation sector stakeholders are involved in the development work, for example through customer consultations. This extensive of a change to airspace is not implemented very often, which means it is important that everyone is heard," Kerke continues.
Clear principles especially for the use of lower airspace
In recent years, new types of user needs have emerged for the lower airspace, due to changes in military aviation, the needs of commercial operators and energy development. Cities also have their own goals and needs for the use of lower airspace in urban areas.
"Unmanned traffic is still somewhat new in Finland, so its needs are particularly emphasised in the planning of lower airspace. The airspace reform will include a more clear picture of the lower airspace and its user needs, which has thus far been lacking," says Teppo Asanti, Head of the Airspace and Environment unit at Fintraffic Air Navigation Services.
A second major reform is related to the controlled and uncontrolled airspace. The aim is to free up airspace for new operators where possible, but on the other hand, to take into account commercial traffic's need for controlled airspace and the possibilities for continuous take-offs and landings. This supports the achievement of our strict environmental objectives both nationally and at the EU level.
