Finland denies flight permits to Turkish airline over its ties to Russia

The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency, Traficom, has refused to allow flights by Turkish airline Southwind Airlines due to its ties with Russia, according to a statement by Traficom.

"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 Director General Jarkko Saarimäki.

Traficom states that significant ownership and effective control of the airline do not belong to the contracting party that appointed it, or its citizens, as required by the current air services agreement.

Previously, the air carrier Southwind Airlines, which operates flights from Turkey, applied to Traficom for permission to operate flights to Finland. Traficom informed the airline that permission would not be granted.

The justification states that granting permission for Southwind Airlines to operate would be unacceptable by the EU sanctions regime in force.

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"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 Director General Jarkko Saarimäki.
Traficom states that significant ownership and effective control of the airline do not belong to the contracting party that appointed it, or its citizens, as required by the current air services agreement.
Previously, the air carrier Southwind Airlines, which operates flights from Turkey, applied to Traficom for permission to operate flights to Finland. Traficom informed the airline that permission would not be granted.
The justification states that granting permission for Southwind Airlines to operate would be unacceptable in accordance with the EU sanctions regime in force.