The passenger volume at Finavia’s airports volume reached 12.3 million, showing an increase of 1.3 million compared to the corresponding period last year. The clear growth in passenger volume was particularly driven by the positive development of transit travel between Asia and Central Europe. Interest towards Lapland continued strong well into the spring.
Comparable revenues increased in January–June by 11.4% and amounted to EUR 187.8 million, showing the strong growth in passenger volume. Operating profit without extraordinary items increased by 14.4% to EUR 33.2 million. The growth of passenger volume simultaneously with successful cost structure control is reflected in the positive profitability development.
“Finavia’s first half of the year was very strong. As for the remainder of the year, the operating environment seems to remain stable and the passenger volumes at Finavia’s airports for the whole year are expected to increase. As development projects proceed and traffic volumes grow, Finavia focuses particularly on first-rate customer experience and on upholding its record-breaking customer satisfaction level”, says Kimmo Mäki, CEO of Finavia.
The strong growth of Helsinki Airport stems from new routes and increased capacity on existing routes
International traffic increased faster at Helsinki Airport during the first half-year than at other main airports in the Nordic countries. The number of international passengers at Helsinki Airport during the first half-year increased by 12.5%. Correspondingly, Copenhagen reached a growth of 3.3% and Stockholm 3.2%.
The number of transit passengers at Helsinki Airport increased during the review period by as much as 23.9%.
Development programmes proceeded well during the first half of the year
Project planning of the expansion of Terminal 2 continued as planned during the second quarter. The goal is to begin construction of the new departure and arrival halls at the end of 2018. With the expansion of Terminal 2, the investment in the development programme amounts to more than one billion euros in total.
In addition to Helsinki Airport, Finavia invests in its airport network. Finavia decided on an EUR 55 million investment programme concerning its airports in Lapland. Rovaniemi, Kittilä and Ivalo airports will be substantially expanded in the following years. Kittilä airport expansion will be ready before the next winter season. The largest development and renovation programme in the history of the Tampere-Pirkkala airport was completed in August. The investment in the renovation of the air traffic areas totalled more than EUR 17 million. The investment increases the airport’s capacity and thus contributes to the vibrance and accessibility of the entire Pirkanmaa region.
