Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom has reached a decision in the public tendering procedure for the procurement of scheduled air services to Savonlinna. The public tendering procedure was won by Budapest Aircraft Service Ltd., aka BASe Airlines Ltd. Air services between Savonlinna and Helsinki are ensured with a public service obligation.
Traficom received a total of two tenders, of which one met the requirements stated in the invitation to tender. The public tendering procedure was organised for the procurement of seven return flights a week in the winter season and six return flights a week in the summer season between Savonlinna and Helsinki. There will be an approximately three-week pause in the flights in August 2024 and 2025.
“We will be starting agreement negotiations with BASe Airlines Ltd immediately following the issuing of the procurement decision and aim to conclude them as soon as possible. Scheduled air services on the route will start on 9 October 2023 at the earliest, and the agreement will remain valid until the end of 2025,” says Director Pipsa Eklund from Traficom.
“The continuation of scheduled air services until the end of 2025 based on the completed public tendering procedure is essential for local residents and businesses, and the City of Savonlinna is happy that the joint tendering process provided a suitable operator for the Savonlinna–Helsinki route,” says Acting Director of Economic Development Juha Turtiainen.
The costs of the procurement will be borne by the state and the City of Savonlinna. Supporting domestic air services and imposing a public service obligation are possible on the basis of the EU Air Services Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008.
Enquiries
Juha Turtiainen, acting director of economic development, City of Savonlinna, juha.turtiainen@savonlinna.fi, tel. +358 44 571 5853
Pipsa Eklund, director, Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom, pipsa.eklund@traficom.fi, tel. +358 29 534 5396