Finland’s Defence Forces have activated a series of temporary restricted (EFR) and danger (EFD) areas across central and northern Finland beginning Monday, 3 August, in support of live-fire and unmanned-aerial-vehicle (UAV) exercises. NOTAMs A3956/26 and A4218/26 establish EFR660 Nuasjärvi (surface to 1 100 ft AMSL) and EFR661 Lohtaja (surface to FL260) with varying daily schedules through 13 August and 7 August respectively. Additional UAV and flare zones have been declared around Joensuu, Pahkajärvi and Hätilä. The air-space closures sit astride key domestic airway segments used by flights linking Helsinki with Oulu, Rovaniemi and Ivalo, as well as by Swedish over-flights routing towards Russia-free corridors. Eurocontrol’s Network Manager has issued flow-control measures adding up to 10 minutes of average delay on northbound evening peaks. Finavia has coordinated with the Finnish Border Guard to ensure that Schengen external-border spot-checks at Helsinki Airport are adjusted to accommodate possible late arrivals. Cargo airlines operating night hops from Leipzig and Liège into northern airports are assessing re-routes that add track miles but avoid prohibited airspace, potentially increasing fuel burn and CO₂ emissions. Travel-department planners should note that the restrictions move south on some days, briefly affecting Lohtaja’s coastal corridor used by offshore-energy crew changes. TMCs are advised to monitor NOTAMs daily and keep travellers informed, as the activation periods vary by hour.
Source: Finland AIS NOTAM Bulletin
