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Stakeholders from the Northern Nordics, including representatives from both the Kvarken region and Lule\u00e5, gathered in Kokkola, Finland, for the final meeting of FAIR\u202f2 on March\u202f12\u201313, 2025.<\/p><\/div>\n
In-Depth Analysis During the Project Extension<\/strong><\/h2>\nFAIR\u202f2 was extended until March\u202f2025 to complement previous studies and deepen the analysis. The following activities were conducted during this extension:<\/p>\n
\n- A business survey \u2013 260\u202fcompanies in Sweden and Finland mapped their travel habits and willingness to pay for sustainable aviation.<\/li>\n
- A summarized demand study \u2013 a more accessible version of the previous analysis, targeted at decision-makers.<\/li>\n
- Sales material \u2013 a presentation aimed at operators and investors, focusing on business potential.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
These provide concrete material for continued discussions with airlines, public entities, and investors regarding the next steps for the region\u2019s sustainable flight connections.<\/p>\n
Final Meeting\u2019s Program and Hosts<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe final meeting in Kokkola was organized by the Kvarken Council, the project\u2019s coordinator, in collaboration with the City of Kokkola and other regional stakeholders. The program included a review of industrial investments and the region\u2019s green transition, including a visit to Kokkola Industrial Park (KIP).<\/i> Hycamite<\/i> presented its technology for reducing carbon emissions, and the Swedish Transport Administration<\/i> provided insights on how public procurement can play a role in the development of sustainable flight connections.<\/p>\n
“Public procurement plays a crucial role in securing flight connections in sparsely populated areas. With the proposals in the Swedish government inquiry, municipalities and regions could have greater influence over both existing and new routes,” said Jean-Marie Skoglund<\/strong> from the Swedish Transport Administration during his presentation.<\/p>\nInsights from the New North<\/i> project, which analyzes the latest technological advancements in sustainable aviation, were also presented during the meeting.<\/p>\n
“The development of electric aviation is progressing faster than many expect, but it won\u2019t happen on its own. This region has a unique opportunity to be an early adopter, especially where distances are long and alternative transport options are limited. However, success requires strategic investments and collaboration between public and private stakeholders,” stated Mikael Bergstr\u00f6m<\/strong>, a strategist at the County Administrative Board of V\u00e4sterbotten and representative of the New North project group.<\/p>\nNext Steps \u2013 From Studies to Action<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe meeting marked the conclusion of FAIR\u202f2 but also the beginning of the next stage, where results will be translated into practical initiatives. Discussions and idea-gathering for new projects are ongoing, and the next stage will involve dialogues with airline operators, investors, and public stakeholders to explore how regional aviation can be developed with the support of public procurement and innovative business models.<\/p>\n
“The results are valuable because they show that there are both positive attitudes and a willingness to pay, but that demand may not be high enough for most routes to be commercially viable from the start. This indicates a need for public support,” said Mathias Lindstr\u00f6m<\/strong>, Director of the Kvarken Council EGTC.<\/p>\nCross-border collaboration has been a key factor in the project, Lindstr\u00f6m continues.<\/p>\n
“The routes with the greatest potential to leverage new aviation technology are precisely those between Sweden and Finland, where natural distances and geographical conditions make air travel a complementary option in the cross-border transport system.”<\/p>\n
Familiarize yourself with the reports produced in FAIR\u202f2:<\/strong>
\nFAIR 2 demand study<\/a>
\nFAIR 2 demand study – short version<\/a>
\nFAIR\u202f2 sales material<\/a>
\nFAIR\u202f2 and New North video campaign report<\/a><\/p>\n
These provide concrete material for continued discussions with airlines, public entities, and investors regarding the next steps for the region\u2019s sustainable flight connections.<\/p>\n
Final Meeting\u2019s Program and Hosts<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe final meeting in Kokkola was organized by the Kvarken Council, the project\u2019s coordinator, in collaboration with the City of Kokkola and other regional stakeholders. The program included a review of industrial investments and the region\u2019s green transition, including a visit to Kokkola Industrial Park (KIP).<\/i> Hycamite<\/i> presented its technology for reducing carbon emissions, and the Swedish Transport Administration<\/i> provided insights on how public procurement can play a role in the development of sustainable flight connections.<\/p>\n
“Public procurement plays a crucial role in securing flight connections in sparsely populated areas. With the proposals in the Swedish government inquiry, municipalities and regions could have greater influence over both existing and new routes,” said Jean-Marie Skoglund<\/strong> from the Swedish Transport Administration during his presentation.<\/p>\nInsights from the New North<\/i> project, which analyzes the latest technological advancements in sustainable aviation, were also presented during the meeting.<\/p>\n
“The development of electric aviation is progressing faster than many expect, but it won\u2019t happen on its own. This region has a unique opportunity to be an early adopter, especially where distances are long and alternative transport options are limited. However, success requires strategic investments and collaboration between public and private stakeholders,” stated Mikael Bergstr\u00f6m<\/strong>, a strategist at the County Administrative Board of V\u00e4sterbotten and representative of the New North project group.<\/p>\nNext Steps \u2013 From Studies to Action<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe meeting marked the conclusion of FAIR\u202f2 but also the beginning of the next stage, where results will be translated into practical initiatives. Discussions and idea-gathering for new projects are ongoing, and the next stage will involve dialogues with airline operators, investors, and public stakeholders to explore how regional aviation can be developed with the support of public procurement and innovative business models.<\/p>\n
“The results are valuable because they show that there are both positive attitudes and a willingness to pay, but that demand may not be high enough for most routes to be commercially viable from the start. This indicates a need for public support,” said Mathias Lindstr\u00f6m<\/strong>, Director of the Kvarken Council EGTC.<\/p>\nCross-border collaboration has been a key factor in the project, Lindstr\u00f6m continues.<\/p>\n
“The routes with the greatest potential to leverage new aviation technology are precisely those between Sweden and Finland, where natural distances and geographical conditions make air travel a complementary option in the cross-border transport system.”<\/p>\n
Familiarize yourself with the reports produced in FAIR\u202f2:<\/strong>
\nFAIR 2 demand study<\/a>
\nFAIR 2 demand study – short version<\/a>
\nFAIR\u202f2 sales material<\/a>
\nFAIR\u202f2 and New North video campaign report<\/a><\/p>\n
Insights from the New North<\/i> project, which analyzes the latest technological advancements in sustainable aviation, were also presented during the meeting.<\/p>\n
“The development of electric aviation is progressing faster than many expect, but it won\u2019t happen on its own. This region has a unique opportunity to be an early adopter, especially where distances are long and alternative transport options are limited. However, success requires strategic investments and collaboration between public and private stakeholders,” stated Mikael Bergstr\u00f6m<\/strong>, a strategist at the County Administrative Board of V\u00e4sterbotten and representative of the New North project group.<\/p>\n The meeting marked the conclusion of FAIR\u202f2 but also the beginning of the next stage, where results will be translated into practical initiatives. Discussions and idea-gathering for new projects are ongoing, and the next stage will involve dialogues with airline operators, investors, and public stakeholders to explore how regional aviation can be developed with the support of public procurement and innovative business models.<\/p>\n “The results are valuable because they show that there are both positive attitudes and a willingness to pay, but that demand may not be high enough for most routes to be commercially viable from the start. This indicates a need for public support,” said Mathias Lindstr\u00f6m<\/strong>, Director of the Kvarken Council EGTC.<\/p>\n Cross-border collaboration has been a key factor in the project, Lindstr\u00f6m continues.<\/p>\n “The routes with the greatest potential to leverage new aviation technology are precisely those between Sweden and Finland, where natural distances and geographical conditions make air travel a complementary option in the cross-border transport system.”<\/p>\n Familiarize yourself with the reports produced in FAIR\u202f2:<\/strong>Next Steps \u2013 From Studies to Action<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nFAIR 2 demand study<\/a>
\nFAIR 2 demand study – short version<\/a>
\nFAIR\u202f2 sales material<\/a>
\nFAIR\u202f2 and New North video campaign report<\/a><\/p>\n
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