Sorry for reviving a VERY old thread (started in 2005), Ryanair already fly to Lappeenranta anyway. However, my new message is not necessarily about Lappeenranta and may relate to any other European airline.
Last Monday the Finnish and Russian Transport Ministers have signed a protocol amending the air services agreement between Finland and Russia. The protocol significantly liberalises air transport services between the two countries. According to the
press release of the Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications:
With the amendment, the concept of a national airline is removed from the air services agreement. In the future an undertaking operating air services between Russia and Finland does not need to be in Finnish ownership. It is enough that the airline is established in Finland and has an Operating Licence and Air Operator Certificate issued in accordance with local regulations.
As a result of a ruling by the European Court of Justice, bilateral air service agreements between EU Member States and Russia must be renegotiated with respect to certain parts.
In December 2010, a decision was taken that these negotiations would commence between Finland and Russia. The protocol that was now signed makes Finland the first country with which Russia has revised the agreement. This agreement can also be used as a basis for negotiations between Russia and other EU countries.
The amendment enables the designation of more than one airline on a route between two cities. In addition, it removes obligatory commercial agreements between airlines.
'I am pleased that the protocol amending the air services agreement has finally been signed. The revised agreement enables more diverse flight connections from Finland to Russia and vice versa. I believe that in the future this will benefit the consumers', Minister of Transport Ms Merja Kyllönen says.
Just pondering the significance of that document. Could it be a kind of loophole giving low-cost carriers an opportunity to enter Russia via Finland? Like Ryanair via Tampere or Norwegian [and others] via Helsinki to St. Petersburg, Moscow or anywhere else? Ryanair do not sell connecting flights, it's their strategy, but some other LCC's do it. Are there still many hurdles to overcome or is it just a question of direct negotiations between the airlines and Russian airports? So vast market out there... What's your opinion?