Fintraffic AIS has issued AIP Supplement 112/2026 establishing a temporary restricted area (EFR659) over central Finland from 30 July to 2 August to protect spectators and competitors during the World Rally Championship’s flagship Rally Finland. The airspace block sits within the Helsinki Flight Information Region and extends from the surface to 4,000 ft, covering the forest stages north of Jyväskylä. General-aviation pilots, sightseeing operators and business-aviation charters heading for Jyväskylä Airport (EFJY) must file avoidance routings or obtain explicit clearance from Finnish Air Force ATC. Drones are banned entirely, and police have warned that violations will result in seizure of equipment and administrative fines. While the restriction is routine for the annual event, its publication just three days before it takes effect leaves limited time for corporate flight departments to adjust schedules. Companies flying clients to the rally – a popular hospitality venue for Nokia, Neste and several Nordic banks – should re-route via Tampere-Pirkkala or Helsinki-Vantaa and arrange ground transfers. Freight forwarders moving motorsport spares by air-cargo charter must similarly account for slot constraints. The notice also coincides with heightened drone-related security concerns after the 28 July Gulf of Finland airspace closure, underscoring Finland’s stricter stance on low-level aviation this summer. Operators should monitor further NOTAMs; additional pop-up danger areas for military counter-drone drills remain possible as traffic peaks during the rally weekend.
Source: Fintraffic AIS
