ENHANCING FINNISH COMPETITIVENESS

Aviation links Finland to the world and vice versa. The eradication of distances, worldwide accessibility and the role of Helsinki-Vantaa as an important gateway airport are the key elements of our aviation policy. No other form of transport can eliminate Finland’s geographical remoteness. But if – as is now the case – 60 direct destinations can be reached from the Helsinki- Vantaa hub, and if there are 40 fl ights a week from Helsinki-Vantaa to nine destinations in the world’s fastest growing market of Asia, then Finland’s remoteness becomes, in fact, a competitive advantage.

Finland links Asia with Europe. The Finnish business community is better able than its competitors to reach their most important markets in Europe and Asia.

Growth remained strong in international air transport throughout the year. Domestic traffi c at the beginning of the year was still in the minus zone but picked up strongly at the end. New competition was born which reinforced earlier route structures. The same trend seemed only to strengthen at the beginning of 2006. Established as well as new operators are opening routes to Europe and reinforcing their fl ight services. The figures show powerful growth for Asian gateway traffic at Helsinki-Vantaa.

We at the Civil Aviation Administration can encapsulate our task, our mission, as follows: We shall create the essential conditions for Finnish competitiveness through the aviation infrastructure and services – in a globalising world.

Through our commitment to our mission we are creating the excellent and vital transport conditions for this Nordic welfare state, with its high technology, skills and culture.

This would not be possible without the network of fl ights – daily and originating from Finland – that air transport provides. The network that links our economic regions with the “Finland hub” at Helsinki-Vantaa forms an organic part of this.