
Helsinki Airport, also known as Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, is the main international airport serving Helsinki, the capital of Finland, as well as its surrounding metropolitan area, and the Uusimaa region in Finland. The airport is located in Vantaa, about 5 kilometres (3 miles) west of Tikkurila, the administrative centre of Vantaa, and 9.2 nautical miles (17 kilometres or 10.6 miles) north of Helsinki's city centre. The facility covers a total of 1,800 hectares (4,448 acres) of land and contains three runways. In 2023, Helsinki Airport served 15.3 million passengers, with about 90% of Finland's international air traffic passing through it. The airport is known for its efficient transfers, excellent customer care, and modern design.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Airport Name | Helsinki Airport/ Helsinki-Vantaa Airport |
Airport Code | HEL |
Location | Vantaa, Finland |
Distance from Helsinki City Centre | 9.2 NM (17.0 km; 10.6 mi) |
Operator | Finavia |
Airlines | Finnair, Jet Time, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Sunclass Airlines, TUI fly Nordic, CityJet, Nordic Regional Airlines, etc. |
Number of Terminals | 2 |
Number of Runways | 3 |
Area Covered | 1,800 hectares (4,448 acres) |
Number of Passengers (2023) | 15.3 million |
Percentage of International Passengers (2023) | 88% |
Percentage of Domestic Passengers (2023) | 12% |
Average Daily Departures | 350 |
Cargo Handled (2012) | 192,204 tonnes |
Awards | Prix Versailles 2023, ASQ award (2018, 2019, 2020, 2022), ACI World Director General's Roll of Excellence |
What You'll Learn
The airport is 17km north of Helsinki's city centre
Helsinki Airport, officially known as Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, is located 17km north of Helsinki's city centre. It is the main international airport serving Helsinki, Finland, and its surrounding metropolitan area. The airport is situated in the neighbouring city of Vantaa, about 5 kilometres west of Tikkurila, the administrative centre of Vantaa.
Helsinki Airport is operated by state-owned Finavia and serves as the main hub for the country's flag carrier, Finnair, and its subsidiary, Nordic Regional Airlines. The airport has been recognised for its beauty and design, winning awards for its interior design, terminal extension, and steel structure. It is also known for its eco-friendliness and consideration of local natural and cultural heritage.
The airport covers a total area of 1,800 hectares and features three runways. It has been one of the busiest airports in the Nordic countries by freight handled and passenger traffic. In 2012, it handled the highest tonnage of cargo among Nordic airports, and it is consistently the busiest airport in Finland, with 20 times the traffic of the second-busiest airport in the country.
Helsinki Airport offers a range of services and facilities for passengers, including lounges, hotels, dining, and shopping options. The lounges provide comfortable seating, food and drinks, Wi-Fi, and other amenities to enhance the waiting experience. Additionally, there are several hotels located near the airport, offering convenient accommodation for travellers, such as the Hilton Helsinki Airport, Original Sokos Hotel Vantaa, and Scandic Aviapolis.
The airport has also been recognised for its customer satisfaction and service quality, receiving the ASQ (Airport Service Quality) award from Airports Council International (ACI). This award is based on a continuous measurement of customer satisfaction and service quality, with Helsinki Airport consistently ranking among the best airports in the world.
Join Airport Security in the UK: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
It covers 1,800 hectares of land
Helsinki Airport, also known as Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, is the main international airport serving Helsinki, the capital of Finland, as well as its surrounding metropolitan area and the Uusimaa region. The airport is located in Vantaa, about 17 kilometres (10.6 miles) north of Helsinki's city centre.
The facility covers a total of 1,800 hectares (4,448 acres) of land and contains three runways. To put this into perspective, 1,800 hectares is equivalent to about 4,448 acres or 10.6 miles of land. This makes Helsinki Airport quite a large airport, especially when compared to other airports in the region.
With this vast land area, the airport is able to accommodate a high volume of air traffic and passengers. In fact, it is by far the busiest airport in Finland, with 20 times the traffic of the next busiest airport, Rovaniemi. About 90% of Finland's international air traffic passes through Helsinki Airport, making it a major hub for international travel in the country.
The large size of the airport also allows for the efficient handling of cargo. In 2012, Helsinki Airport handled 192,204 tonnes of cargo, making it the largest airport in the Nordics in terms of cargo handled that year. This highlights the important role that Helsinki Airport plays in facilitating freight transport in addition to passenger traffic.
Ashland, Oregon: Airport Accessibility and Travel Options
You may want to see also
It has three runways
Helsinki Airport, located in the city of Vantaa, is the main international airport serving Helsinki, Finland. It is also the busiest airport in Finland, with 20 times the traffic of the next busiest airport in the country, Rovaniemi. The airport is operated by state-owned Finavia and covers 1,800 hectares (4,448 acres) of land.
Finavia's Helsinki Airport has been recognised for its architecture and design, winning an award in the Prix Versailles 2023 architecture and design competition. The airport's terminal extension has also received multiple awards for its steel structure, building information modelling, wooden ceiling in the departures hall, and sustainable construction.
One notable feature of Helsinki Airport is that it has three runways. This enables the airport to accommodate a high volume of air traffic, contributing to its status as the busiest airport in Finland. The efficient management of these runways ensures smooth operations and facilitates the handling of a significant number of flights and passengers.
The presence of three runways at Helsinki Airport enhances its capacity and efficiency in managing air traffic. It allows for simultaneous take-offs and landings, reducing potential delays and improving overall punctuality. This feature is particularly advantageous during peak hours or when there are unforeseen disruptions, as it provides greater flexibility in scheduling and managing flight movements.
The efficient utilisation of the three runways at Helsinki Airport contributes to the overall passenger experience. By accommodating a higher volume of flights, the airport can offer more departure and arrival options, providing passengers with increased flexibility in their travel plans. This also helps to reduce potential congestion within the airport, making the overall experience more pleasant and convenient for travellers passing through.
Charlotte Airport: Taxi Availability and Convenience
You may want to see also
It's one of the world's most beautiful airports
Helsinki Airport, also known as Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, is one of the world's most beautiful airports. Located in Vantaa, about 17 kilometres (11 miles) north of Helsinki city centre, the airport is operated by state-owned Finavia. The facility covers a vast area of 1,800 hectares (4,448 acres) and features three runways.
The airport's stunning design has garnered international recognition, including being selected as one of the world's most beautiful airports in the Prix Versailles 2023 architecture and design competition. The selection criteria for this prestigious award included eco-friendliness and consideration of local natural and cultural heritage. The airport's terminal extension, completed in 2021, has also received multiple accolades for its steel structure, building information modelling, and the spectacular wooden ceiling of the departures hall, which is made up of 500 individual wooden elements.
Helsinki Airport prioritises both functionality and aesthetics, offering a seamless travel experience for its passengers. The airport handles a significant volume of traffic, with around 350 departures and approximately 15 million passengers annually. It serves as the main hub for Finnair and several other airlines, providing connections to numerous destinations across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America.
The airport boasts an array of amenities designed to enhance the passenger experience. The lounges, available in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, offer comfortable seating, food and drinks, Wi-Fi, and other conveniences. Additionally, the airport provides a range of shopping and dining options, as well as services for disabled passengers, making it a convenient and accessible hub for travellers from all walks of life.
With its award-winning design, efficient operations, and passenger-centric amenities, Helsinki Airport truly stands out as one of the most beautiful and well-regarded airports in the world. Its combination of Finnish architecture, sustainability, and attention to detail creates a welcoming gateway to Finland for travellers from all around the globe.
Finding Price Drops: Airport Shopping Secrets Revealed
You may want to see also
It has several lounges
Helsinki Airport has been recognised as one of the world's most beautiful airports, winning an award in 2023 for its interior design. The airport has also been awarded for its customer satisfaction and service quality, being named Europe's best airport in its size category.
Helsinki Airport has several lounges available for passengers, both in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The lounges offer a range of amenities to ensure a pleasant waiting experience for passengers. These amenities include comfortable seating, food and drinks, Wi-Fi, and more. Some lounges are accessible to all passengers, while others are reserved for specific groups, such as business class or elite-level frequent flyers of particular airlines.
The Finnair Lounge is exclusive to Finnair Plus Platinum, Gold, and Silver members, as well as oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members. The Aspire Lounge welcomes all passengers with a valid lounge pass or credit card. Similarly, Lounge 24 is accessible to all passengers with valid lounge access credentials. The Priority Pass Lounge, on the other hand, is reserved for Priority Pass members. The SAS Lounge is available for SAS EuroBonus Diamond and Gold members, while the Non-Schengen Lounge caters to passengers travelling outside the Schengen area.
These lounges provide a comfortable and relaxing environment for passengers, offering a variety of services to enhance their overall airport experience.
Greenville, SC: A Hub of Airports and Aviation
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Helsinki Airport covers 1,800 hectares (4,448 acres) of land and is the fourth busiest airport in the Nordic countries in terms of passenger numbers.
In 2023, Helsinki Airport had a total of 15.3 million passengers, 88% of whom were international passengers. The airport handles around 350 departures a day.
Helsinki Airport has two terminals.
Yes, Helsinki Airport has been awarded the title of Europe's best airport in its size category (15 to 25 million passengers) by Airports Council International (ACI). It has also been selected as one of the world's most beautiful airports in the Prix Versailles 2023 architecture competition.