Finland Times

The company would be responsible for Finland's area control service as well as for aerodrome and approach control services, said an official press release.

The corporatisation of air navigation services was on the agenda of the Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy on 20 December 2016.

In future, the wholly state-owned company would be responsible for such special functions related to air navigation as airspace management, area control, aeronautical services for state purposes and air search and rescue services.

The systems needed for national route service, such as the air traffic control system, radars and voice communications systems, would be transferred to the company. Air navigation facilities at airports, for example air traffic control towers and their devices, would remain with Finavia.

"Air navigation services at Finavia are already provided through a corporation so there will be no changes in the service provision format. The differentiation of the air navigation services business into a separate company is a way to prepare for the changes that are expected in the sector in Finland and Europe," said Minister of Transport and Communications Anne Berner.

"The internationalisation of the branch and the technological development will have a strong impact on the sector. In future, for example remote towers will enable the provision of an airport's operative air navigation services via a centralised system of remote air traffic control. As an independent limited liability company, the air navigation service company could better respond to the challenges of the changing operating environment and seize the related business opportunities," Berner said.

One aim of the corporatisation process is to improve the financial efficiency and profitability of air navigation business operations as well as the transparency of the operations and pricing.

All employees working for air navigation services at Finavia Corporation, will be transferred to the new company so that they retain their current terms of employment.

In the corporatisation process, it will be ensured that the quality and access of air navigations services will not be endangered.

The ownership steering of the special assignment company wholly owned by the state will be the responsibility of the Ministry of Transport and Communications.