Marttinen says next government must secure Pori-Helsinki flights

Finland’s next government must fund flights between Pori and Helsinki, Employment Minister Matias Marttinen says, arguing that Finavia cannot decide the future of Pori Airport on its own. Yle reports that the minister considers both the flights and the airport’s future political decisions.

Concern has grown in the Satakunta region after the Ministry of Transport and Communications recently proposed ending state support for regional flights. If the subsidised Pori-Helsinki service ends, airport operator Finavia could give up maintaining Pori Airport.

Marttinen rejected claims that supporting the route is wasteful, saying businesses in Satakunta need a fast connection from Pori to Helsinki Airport and onward destinations. The current government cannot decide whether support will continue after it expires in February 2028, leaving the decision to its successor.

“There is no alternative but to secure the continuation of the flights and for the state to provide funding for them,” Marttinen said.

The state’s estimated cost for the Pori-Helsinki flights is 6.3 million euros over 2026-28. Marttinen described that sum as a “rounding error” in the state budget.

He also said an individual state-owned company could not decide to stop maintaining the airport. Such a decision, he said, depends on the government and the state’s position as owner.

Trafficom statistics show that about two-thirds of seats on Pori flights have been empty. State support has reached as much as 400 euros per ticket, while a one-way fare for passengers costs just under 100 euros.

Finnair said on Wednesday it would begin operating commercial flights without state support to five regional centres, but Pori was not among them. If support is withdrawn, Pori and Savonlinna would be the only local areas left competing for state funding for regional air services.

Satakunta is also home to the Finnish Aviation Academy, a state-owned company that trains pilots.