The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) has, on 14 November 2025, issued a new Advisory Circular OPS T3-12, Allocation of limited air traffic rights. The Circular contains instructions on how to apply for operating authorisations on routes where traffic rights are limited based on an air services agreement, and how those authorisations are issued. At the same time, Decision 2/2004 of the Finnish Civil Aviation Administration, Air traffic services on a route with limited traffic rights, is repealed by regulation GEN M1-17. Due to the publication procedure specified in Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 847/2004, however, the regulation and circular will only enter into force on 2 January 2026.
In some bilateral air services agreements, there may be restrictions regarding the number of weekly frequencies that may be operated on a route or the number of airlines that may be designated to operate services between certain destinations. When such a new route becomes available for operation, Traficom initiates a procedure for the allocation of traffic rights. Advisory Circular OPS T3-12 describes the procedures applied by the Agency in these matters and provides guidance on how to apply for traffic rights.
Previously, these issues were covered by Decision 2/2004 of the Finnish Civil Aviation Administration, published in its series "Rules and Decisions". However, when the decision was being converted into a regulation, it was found that the regulation would not, in substance, contain any binding provisions. Instead, the decision included guidance and some matters already covered by legislation. For this reason, Decision 2/2004 is repealed.
- Advisory Circular OPS T3-12, Allocation of limited air traffic rights (External link)
- Regulation GEN M1-17 repealing Decision 2/2004 (External link) (in Finnish)
- Explanatory memorandum for the Regulation (External link) (in Finnish)
Further information:
Johan Skjäl, Chief Adviser, johan.skjal(at)traficom.fi, tel. 029 534 6115
Tiia Tuomilehto-Kiuru, Special Adviser, tiia.tuomilehto-kiuru(at)traficom.fi, tel. 029 534 5271
Leila Iikkanen, Legal Adviser, leila.iikkanen(at)traficom.fi, tel. 029 534 6039