With Finland becoming an important transit country for Russian tourists traveling to Europe, Porsches, Bentleys and other Russian-registered luxury sports cars fill the parking lot at Helsinki airport, from where travelers continue on their way.
A quick stroll through the Helsinki airport parking lot reveals dozens, if not hundreds, of high-end cars with Russian license plates, including a new Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan and a Porsche 911 Turbo S.
The European Union closed its airspace to Russian planes after Moscow invaded Ukraine, forcing Russians wishing to travel to Europe to drive across the border or, with a detour, to fly with non-Western airlines .
Since Moscow lifted Covid-related travel restrictions in July, the number of Russian travelers has increased, alongside growing discontent in Europe against their arrival, as war hits Ukraine.
When asked, Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto observes that Finland has become a “transit country” for Russian tourists, adding that there are “a lot of Russian tourists at Helsinki airport at the moment”.
Finland announced last week that it would limit Russian tourist visas to 10% of current volume from September 1 due to growing dissatisfaction with Russian tourism amid war in Ukraine. But Russians continue to enter Finland with Schengen visas issued by other countries.
“They come here with Schengen visas issued by lots of different countries and continue their journey via Helsinki airport,” explains Pekka Haavisto.
Schengen regulations do not allow Finland to close its border to specific nationals, notes Pekka Haavisto. This kind of measure can only be decided jointly within the EU.
“Given that Finland and the Baltic countries plan to restrict these visas, it would be good for the countries of the European Union to take similar decisions”, adds the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Finland intends to raise the issue at the next meeting of EU foreign ministers, scheduled for August 30 in the Czech Republic.