In passenger numbers it is one of the busiest airports in Finland. Traffic to Rovaniemi is especially busy during the winter season. Rovaniemi is the official airport of Santa Claus.
Basic Information
Annual passenger and landing statistics of the airport are published on Finavia's Traffic Statistics page.
The airport's runway is 3,000 metres long.
The airport was designed by the internationally renowned architects Mikko Heikkinen and Markku Komonen.
Awards and Recognitions
Steel Structure of the Year 1992
Finavia Airport of the Year 2006
Finavia Airport of the Year 2015
History
1939: Construction work at the airport begins in 1939.
1940: Two grass landing strips are completed. In June Aero opens a route from Helsinki to Petsamo in the far north via Tampere, Vaasa, Kokkola, Oulu, Kemi, Rovaniemi and Sodankylä. Total flight time, including stop-overs is 8,5 hours.
1948: Rebuilding at the war-damaged airport begins. Regular traffic begins in June.
1953: The third consecutive airport and air traffic control building is completed.
1961: The Northern Finland Air Navigation Centre is moved from Kemi to Rovaniemi.
1974: The Häme Air Command of the Finnish Air Force moves from Tikkakoski to Rovaniemi and continues to operate as the Lapland Air Command.
1981: The runway is extended to 3,000 metres.
1984: The current air traffic control building is put in to operation.
1992: The current airport building is completed.
2000: The airport building is expanded and jet bridges are introduced.
2006: The new air traffic control is completed.
2015: Improving the service level at the airport, renewed services
2016: Renovation of the runway: New pavement and LED lights
2019 The airport building’s third enlargement is completed