Helsinki Airport

Helsinki Airport
source
Name	Helsinki Airport
IATA	HEL
ICAO	EFHK
Owner	Finavia
City-served	Helsinki
Location	Vantaa
Hub	* Finnair * Norwegian Air Shuttle
Elevation-m	55
Coordinates	60, 19, 02, N...
Website	https://www.finavia.fi/en/helsinki-airport

Helsinki Airport. It is the primary international gateway to Finland and the busiest airport in the country. Operated by the state-owned enterprise Finavia, the airport is a major hub for the national carrier Finnair and a focus city for Norwegian Air Shuttle. Strategically located in the city of Vantaa, approximately 17 kilometers north of Helsinki city center, its geographical position has made it a significant transit point for travel between Europe and Asia.

History

The airport opened for commercial traffic in 1952, timed to serve the 1952 Summer Olympics held in Helsinki. Its initial runway and terminal were modest, but rapid growth followed with the expansion of Finnair's network. A major milestone was the completion of a second runway in 1956, followed by a significant terminal expansion in 1969 designed by the architect Viljo Revell. The 1980s and 1990s saw further development, including the opening of the international terminal and the inauguration of the non-Schengen gates. A pivotal modernization program, the "Helsinki Airport Development Program," began in 2014, leading to the opening of the new Aukio departure hall and the expansion of Terminal 2, significantly increasing capacity and enhancing passenger experience.

Facilities and terminals

The airport operates two main passenger terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, which are interconnected. Terminal 2, the larger and newer facility, handles most international and Schengen flights, primarily for Finnair and its oneworld alliance partners. Terminal 1 is used by other airlines, including many low-cost carriers. The facilities feature extensive shopping and dining areas, including the "Fly Inn" food court, numerous lounges such as the Finnair Lounge and Plaza Premium Lounge, and the unique "Sleep Pods" for resting passengers. The airport is also noted for its architectural emphasis on natural light, Finnish design, and art installations, with a dedicated exhibition program. Cargo operations are handled by Finnair Cargo and other logistics companies in dedicated facilities.

Airlines and destinations

As the main hub for Finnair, the airport offers an extensive network across Europe, Asia, and North America. Key long-haul destinations include New York, Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore, and Bangkok. Other major carriers operating scheduled services include Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, KLM, and Turkish Airlines. The airport also serves as a base for several low-cost airlines, with Norwegian Air Shuttle, Ryanair, and Wizz Air offering numerous routes to European cities. Seasonal charter flights are operated by companies like TUI Airways to popular holiday destinations in the Mediterranean and Canary Islands.

Ground transportation

The airport is well-connected to the Helsinki metropolitan area by multiple modes of transport. The Ring Rail Line provides a direct, fast rail link to Helsinki Central Station and Tikkurila station, with connections across the HSL network. Several bus lines, including the Finnair City Bus and public buses operated by HSL, offer frequent services to the city center and other parts of Vantaa and Espoo. Taxis and rideshare services are readily available outside both terminals. For drivers, the airport is accessible via Highway 45 and the Ring I beltway, with extensive short- and long-term parking facilities managed by Finavia.

Statistics

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport consistently handled over 20 million passengers annually, making it one of the busiest in the Nordic countries. In 2019, it served a record 21.9 million passengers. The airport typically connects to over 150 destinations worldwide via more than 50 airlines. It is a critical cargo hub for Finland, handling over 200,000 tonnes of air freight annually. The main trading partners for cargo are in Asia and North America. The airport's on-time performance is regularly ranked highly in global surveys by organizations like FlightStats.

Accidents and incidents

The airport has maintained an excellent safety record throughout its history, with no fatal accidents involving commercial passenger flights occurring at the facility. A notable incident occurred in 1963 when a Finnair Douglas DC-3 overran the runway during landing in poor weather; there were no serious injuries. In 1978, a Finnair Sud Aviation Caravelle experienced a landing gear malfunction but landed safely. More recently, in 2010, a cargo flight operated by TNT Airways skidded off a taxiway during icy conditions. These events have been investigated by the Safety Investigation Authority of Finland, leading to continuous improvements in operational safety procedures.

Category:Airports in Finland Category:Buildings and structures in Uusimaa Category:Transport in Helsinki