On November 10, Avinor and Finavia successfully launched cross border Air Traffic Services across the border of Finland and Norway, where Kirkenes Tower/Approach is now providing the services in parts of Finnish Airspace.
The arrangement facilitates more efficient and safe flight operations for flights in and outbound Kirkenes Airport in Northern Norway serving the interests of airspace users.
This initiative has become possible in the cooperative work within the North European Functional Airspace Block, NEFAB. The cross border services in Kirkenes TMA are another concrete result of the NEFAB development programme that is investigating airspace and service improvements for the benefit of the airlines and travellers. Cross border services are an essential element in the NEFAB programme to achieve more optimised and efficient airspace.
“I am very satisfied that the NEFAB cooperation is supporting development of efficient airspace and services. This initiative is confirming that joint efforts in NEFAB are benefiting our customers. Avinor is looking forward to develop the cross border services further, together with our partners,” says Anders Kirsebom, CEO Avinor Air Navigation Services.
“The cross border services with Norway are a good proof of how we are working in NEFAB towards building more efficient airspace structures for the benefit our customers, and are one among many other initiatives. Finavia has worked close with Avinor in the past years, as the two countries have exchanged civilian radar data, thus reducing the investment needs of both companies,” says Raine Luojus, Senior Vice President of Finavia.
According to the agreement signed by Finavia and Avinor, the Kirkenes terminal control area will be expanded to the Finnish airspace. At the same time, Avinor can offer air navigation services in the entire terminal control area. This new operating method improves the opportunities of both companies to offer cost-effective and high-quality air navigation services, also in areas with a low traffic volume.
The Service Agreement on cross border services in Kirkenes TMA was signed between both parties earlier this autumn.
Source: Avinor / Norway Today
