Transport in Åland

Transport in Åland covers air, road, and sea connections that link the islands with each other and with mainland Finland and Sweden. Maritime transport is the main form of travel and trade due to the archipelago’s geography.

Air transport

Mariehamn Airport provides regular flights operated by Nordic Regional Airlines on behalf of Finnair.[citation needed] The island of Kumlinge also has a small airfield and a helipad used mainly for charter and emergency flights.[citation needed]

Road transport

Highway 1 between Eckerö and Mariehamn
Highway 1 (Huvudväg 1) between Eckerö and Mariehamn
Åland vehicle registration plate with ÅL prefix
Vehicle registration plate with ÅL prefix

The islands have a compact road network with separate cycle lanes on several main roads (huvudvägar). Public buses, operated by Ålandstrafiken, connect the main population centres and coordinate with ferry timetables.[citation needed] Vehicles registered in Åland use number plates beginning with "ÅL". Many local roads are surfaced with red granite.[citation needed]

Maritime transport

Maritime transport connects Åland with surrounding countries and between its own islands. Ferries also provide access to duty-free trade under Åland’s special EU tax status defined by the Åland Protocol.[1]

International routes

Major ferry operators serving Åland include:

Ferries stop at Mariehamn and Långnäs on routes linking Finland, Sweden, and Estonia.

Inter-island and mainland services

References

  1. ^ "A part of Europe to remain forever duty-free". The Irish Times. 10 November 1998. Retrieved 25 October 2020.