By The EU (European Union) has implemented a significant measure by prohibiting Southwind Airlines from conducting operations within its airspace. This regulatory action follows an exhaustive investigation conducted by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom), which uncovered substantial ownership connections to Russian stakeholders within the airline.
Of particular note is Southwind Airlines’ association with Pegas Touristik, a Turkish tour operator, which previously managed Nordwind Airlines, a Russian charter airline.
Established in April 2022 and registered in Turkey, Southwind Airlines emerged shortly after the EU imposed a ban on Russian airlines from its airspace in response to the Ukrainian invasion. Initially focused on facilitating travel for Russian tourists to Turkey’s Mediterranean resort towns, the airline swiftly expanded its services to include destinations in Germany and other EU cities.
Currently, Southwind Airlines operates a fleet of 12 aircraft, comprising a diverse array of Airbus and Boeing models, including both narrowbodies and widebodies. This fleet makeup encompasses three A321s, two A330s, three B737 MAX 8s, and four B777s.
The initiation of the Finnish investigation was prompted by Southwind’s application to commence flights connecting Helsinki and Turkey. However, with the EU’s airspace ban now in effect, these plans have been put on hold, representing a setback for the airline’s strategic expansion endeavors.
