Government proposes amendments to Aviation Act 

On 23 May 2024, the Government submitted a legislative proposal to Parliament on amending the Aviation Act and on related acts. 

The proposal aims to implement the aviation provisions of the EU’s Fit for 55 package. The legislative amendments would 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 would 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 would specify the definition of an aviation fuel supplier.  

EU regulation to be implemented through the amendments

The amendments would 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 obligations on aviation imposed by the EU Regulation on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (the 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.

Next steps

A referral debate will be held on the proposal now submitted by the Government to Parliament. The timetable for the debate will be listed on Parliament’s website (upcoming plenary sessions). 

After the referral debate, the proposal will be taken to a parliamentary committee. Once the committee’s report is ready, the matter will be discussed in a plenary session.

Inquiries:

Joona Huhtakangas, Senior Officer, tel. +358 295 342 131, [email protected]