However, the need for air connections to Kemi-Tornio will increase in the future, believe the region’s entrepreneurs and business representatives.
The need for air connections to Kemi-Tornio will increase in the future, believe the area’s entrepreneurs and business representatives.
The need is increased by the fact that billion-dollar investments are now being made in the north on both sides of the border. The future of air traffic in Meri-Lapland is considered in Kemi-Tornio’s air traffic in a changing operating environment report, which was published today, Friday.
For example, Havator already uses Kemi-Tornio’s flight connections. Havator drivers who travel around the Barents fly between Helsinki-Vantaa and Kemi-Tornio every week.
46 percent of companies use air transport for expert trips, 36 percent for management meetings, 28 percent for sales work and 27 percent for customer visits to the Kemi-Tornio area. Installation work accounts for 11 percent of air travel, maintenance work 7 percent, and other travel needs 12 percent.
The early morning flight leaves too early
As a rule, air travel is directed to the capital region, Sweden, especially Stockholm and Germany. Most of the personnel of the companies surveyed in the report fly monthly or a few times a year.
Using remote connections has reduced the need to fly for a large part of companies. However, a third of the respondents feel that the proliferation of remote meetings has no effect on flying.
It is important for companies that the flight schedules are suitable. The early morning flight to Helsinki-Vantaa leaves Kemi-Tornio very early due to a layover in Kokkola. That’s why many fly to Helsinki-Vantaa the day before and spend the night there. It costs more and takes time. According to the report, a significant part of the Kemi-Tornio airport flies to Helsinki-Vantaa to do business in the capital region for the day. A slightly later departure between 7 and 8 would be more suitable for them.
It is also considered important that international customers can fly close to the company. According to respondents, trips from Oulu or Rovaniemi raise the threshold to arrive in the Kemi-Tornio area.