Amendments to Aviation Act to be approved

The Government proposes that the President of the Republic approve on 22 November 2024 the amendments to the Aviation Act and to certain related acts.

The legislative amendments implement aviation provisions of the EU’s Fit for 55 package. The amendments will designate competent authorities and their duties and lay down provisions on a penalty system.

The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom and the Energy Authority will be designated as competent authorities in respect of the EU Regulation on sustainable aviation fuels, and Traficom as the competent authority in respect of the EU Regulation on alternative fuels infrastructure.

In addition, the amendments will specify the definition of an aviation fuel supplier.

Legislative amendments to implement EU regulation

The amendments will implement EU regulation. The Regulation on ensuring a level playing field for sustainable air transport, known as the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation, has been applied since 1 January 2024. The most important obligations imposed by the Regulation will be applicable as of 1 January 2025.

The Regulation applies to airports with traffic volumes of more than 800,000 passengers or 100,000 tonnes of cargo. In Finland, the Regulation is currently applied to Helsinki Airport. With the increase in passenger volumes, the scope of application may in the near future include other airports too.

The obligations on aviation imposed by the EU Regulation on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure, the so-called AFIR Regulation, will become gradually applicable. The obligations on the supply of electricity to stationary aircraft will be applicable as of 31 December 2024 and 31 December 2029.

What’s next?

The President of the Republic is to approve the amendments on 22 November 2024. The acts will enter into force on 25 November 2024.

As required by Parliament, the Government will monitor the implementation of the EU Regulation on sustainable aviation fuels, and the flexibility mechanism included in it, at the EU level.

Inquiries:

Niina Honkasalo, Ministerial Adviser, niina.honkasalo(at)gov.fi, tel. +358 29 534 2027