Authorities in Finland are moving to remove vehicles that have lingered in Helsinki Airport’s parking areas for an extended period. This action comes as Finavia, the agency that runs Finland’s airports, confirms a maximum storage duration of 45 days for any car staying in the facility. The announcement reflects a broader push to manage unattended vehicles and keep airport lots accessible for travelers.
When a car remains parked without notification and the owner cannot be reached, Finavia stated that the vehicle will be reported to the Vantaa Municipality Parking Administration. In such cases, the city of Vantaa takes possession of the car and oversees its storage thereafter. The Finavia press service underscored that this procedure applies uniformly to all customers using the parking facilities.
Among the vehicles observed in the Helsinki Airport lot were several with Russian license plates. If owners fail to respond, ownership may transfer to Vantaa officials under the established regulations. Finavia stressed that the same rule governs every parking customer, ensuring consistent handling across the board.
On September 10, the European Union introduced a ban on certain imports from Russia, including personal vehicles, smartphones, and cosmetics, as part of broader sanctions. The restrictions also cover trailers and semi-trailers used to transport a variety of goods, such as precious stones, household products, and electronics. EU representatives emphasized that each member state must decide, within its own jurisdiction, how to treat goods that arrive from Russia, including motor vehicles.
Previously, reports noted that the prohibition on entry of vehicles bearing Russian license plates took effect later, on September 16, marking a phased approach to enforcement across EU borders and facilities. The evolving policy landscape has implications for how car owners, transporters, and airport authorities coordinate responsibility for vehicles that arrive and may remain without a clear owner or proper documentation.