Suspension of passenger flights from the UK extended

The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom has decided to continue to suspend passenger flights from the UK to Finland until 18 January 2021. Direct passenger flights from Ireland and South Africa to Finland will also be suspended from 11 to 18 January 2021. Due to the decision, many travellers find that returning to Finland is even more difficult than before or may be prevented altogether.

Finnish missions abroad and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Helsinki are monitoring the situation closely and, if required, helping travellers to find ways to return home.  Return to Finland from the UK and Ireland is possible using connecting flights. Based on currently available information, return to Helsinki is possible, for example, via Amsterdam, Paris and Brussels. Travellers looking for alternative routes should check the entry requirements and, transit requirements in particular, including the required COVID-19 test results, from the public authorities in the country of destination and their own airline. 

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has proposed to Traficom that, due to the COVID-19 situation in the UK, commercial flights from the UK to Finland be permitted for minor Finnish citizens and minor foreign citizens residing permanently in Finland and their guardians/accompanying adults. The suspension of direct flights does not prevent these people from returning to Finland using connecting flights but, in practice, the suspension has prevented unaccompanied minors from returning to Finland. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs continues to explore ways in which these persons could return to Finland via direct flights safeguarding health security. 

The Finnish Embassy in London is updating information on its website and social media channels. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation may deteriorate abruptly and unpredictably in any country or region. Sudden changes or cancellations of air connections may cause long delays. If it is essential for you to travel, be prepared for changes. Travellers are required to continue to be resilient and able to deal with uncertainty. The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs has only limited capabilities to assist people in distress abroad during the pandemic. We recommend that you submit your travel plans and contact details at matkustusilmoitus.fi.

If you are returning to Finland from the UK, Ireland or South Africa, please note the guidelines of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.

For any possible expenses caused by cancellation or postponement of flights, contact your travel organiser, airline or insurance company.