Aviation banned over Helsinki on Thursday, Friday

Aviation will be restricted over the temporary no-fly zone in Helsinki due to the Council of Europe’s Session of the Committee of Ministers.

The restrictions will be in place from 8:00am Thursday to 9:00pm Friday, said a press release issued by the Helsinki Police on Wednesday.

The no-fly zone will extend over a 500 metre radius of Finlandia Hall horizontally and over a 250 metre radius above the ground.

The no-fly zone has been established as a part of the security arrangements for the Session of the Committee of Ministers. In addition, the police will carry out their own aviation activities in the area in question using unmanned aerial vehicles.

“The police will not grant any special permits for the area. This means that no other aviation besides that carried out by the authorities will be permitted in the area. Both aviation professionals and radio-controlled aircraft enthusiasts are requested to stay away from the prohibited airspace,” said Chief Inspector Sami Hätönen who will be in charge of aviation activities during the event.

Hätönen said, “If needed, the police will employ the necessary means to prevent or intervene in any unauthorised aviation activities. The police will monitor the no-fly zone carefully and will apply a low tolerance policy to any and all offences.”

The restrictions, however, will not apply to the military, border guard, the police, customs, maritime and aviation authorities, nor the authorities engaged in rescue, paramedic or patient transport services, or flights authorised by them, when carrying out their duties that require flying over the area. The restrictions will also not apply to urgent medical aviation activities on helicopters, or to flights based on an international obligation which Finland must comply with.

“In addition to temporary no-fly zones, the use of airspace will also be restricted with permanent restrictions. In Helsinki, for example, there are several permanent no-fly zones. Before flying an unmanned aerial vehicle or radio-controlled aircraft, you should always make sure that there are no restrictions in place for use of the airspace,” Hätönen said.