Russian Tourists' Luxury Cars Fill Up Helsinki Airport
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published August 23, 2022 | 10:50 AM
Helsinki, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Aug, 2022 ) :Porsches, Bentleys and other luxury cars with Russian licence plates are filling up the parking garage at Helsinki's airport as Finland becomes an important transit country for Russian tourists flying to Europe.
The European Union shut its airspace to Russian planes after Moscow invaded Ukraine, forcing anyone who wants to travel to Europe to drive across the border or take a circuitous route using non-Western airlines.
Since Russia's Covid-19 restrictions expired in July, there has been a boom in Russian travellers and a rising backlash in Europe against allowing in Russian tourists while the war continues.
A quick stroll through the carpark at the Helsinki airport revealed dozens if not hundreds of high-end cars with Russian licence plates, including a new Mercedes-Benz S-class sedan and Porsche 911 Turbo S.
"It boggles me," Finnish traveller Jussi Hirvonen said after leaving the garage. "I wish they weren't here before Ukraine's situation is solved." Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto told AFP that the Nordic nation has become a "transit country" for Russian tourists.
"Helsinki airport is seeing a lot of Russian tourism at the moment." - Finland wants EU decision - Finland said last week it would limit Russian tourist visas to 10 percent of current volumes as of September 1 due to rising discontent over Russian tourism amid the war in Ukraine.
But Russians continue to enter Finland with visas issued by other EU countries in the Schengen borderless travel area for their journeys.
"They come here on Schengen visas issued by various different countries and then continue further via Helsinki airport," Haavisto said.
According to a survey conducted by the Finnish border guard in August, around two-thirds of Russians crossing Finland's eastern border do so with a Schengen visa issued by a country other than Finland.
"Hungary, Spain, Italy, Austria, Greece and Spain normally issue visas to Russians, and are generally among the top issuing countries each year," border guard official Mert Sasioglu told AFP.
Schengen rules do not allow Finland to close the border to specific nationalities, Haavisto said.
Such sanctions can only be decided jointly by the EU.
"As Finland and the Baltic countries are planning to restrict these visas, it would be good if all EU countries took similar decisions," Haavisto said.
This sentiment was shared by many Finns at the airport.
"There should be an EU decision to close the border," said Finnish traveller Jussi Hirvonen.
Finland intends to raise the issue at the next meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers in the Czech Republic on August 30.
- 'Everybody should travel' - After Russia lifted its Covid travel restrictions on July 15, the number of Russian tourists heading to Finland has surged.
While the numbers are still well below pre-Covid levels, there were more than 230,000 border crossings in July -- up from 125,000 in June.
For many Russian travellers, the idea of not being able to travel to Europe is met with disappointment.
"Everybody should travel, because when you see how other peaceful countries live then you become more peaceful too," said Pavel Alekhin, a 32-year-old Russian professional athlete on his way to a bike festival in Basel.
Russian traveller Vadim wan der Berg said the situation is "very difficult" for normal Russians, as many now lack the opportunity to fly for work or studies.
"We're all waiting for this to stop and want a normal situation in the whole world, in our country and Ukraine too." - Europe divided - The European Commission acknowledged last week that discussions were underway to see if a "coordinated approach" on Russian visas could be reached.
Eastern EU countries Latvia, Lithuania and Poland stopped issuing new tourist visas to Russians shortly after the war started.
Estonia has gone a step further and is looking at stopping Russians who have visas delivered by other EU states.
But German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has expressed reservations about such restrictions.
"This is not the Russian people's war, it is Putin's war," Scholz noted.
He said limiting tourist visas would also penalise "all the people who flee Russia because they disagree with the Russian regime".
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Rock-solid Ruud racks up season-leading win in Barcelona
At UN, Iran says it will make Israel 'regret' reprisals
G7 hears calls for 'critical' Ukraine aid
EU seeks to leverage might to confront China, US challenge
5 Customs officials martyred as their vehicle ambushed by terrorists in D I Khan
Pak-New Zealand match called off due to rain
NHA restores traffic on roads affected by recent rains in Balochistan
China to fully support Pakistan's efforts against terrorism: Ambassador Jiang
U.S. envoy calls on Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar
Poland arrests man over suspected plan to kill Zelensky
EU wants to ease youth movement to and from UK
Police foils attempt of supply mainpuri raw material
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
4 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
4 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
4 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
7 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
10 days ago -
DC, DPO Haripur inspect bus terminals to review fares compliance
11 days ago
-
Second phase of refugees’ repatriation to start after Eidul Fitr vacations
12 days ago -
Reaping bounties as Ramazan culminates
12 days ago -
Digital transformation – a boon or bane
12 days ago -
Plants’ business: Another casualty of climate change
14 days ago -
Eid shoppers prioritize children’s joy over personal comforts
14 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre honoring Pir Hassam din Rashdi to take place on April 1
18 days ago