The renovation of Kittilä Airport is part of Finavia’s EUR 60 million investment in airports in Lapland. Kittilä Airport’s share in the investment programme is around one-third, EUR 20 million.
“The attractions of Lapland offer competitive advantage to Finnish tourism. We believe that these investments will be necessary as soon as the COVID-19 pandemic is under control. The renewed Kittilä Airport offers premium passenger comfort and smooth travelling. As soon as travel bounces back after the pandemic, we are ready”, Jani Jolkkonen, Finavia’s Senior Vice President, Airport Network.
The renewed check-in is the element that is most visible to passengers. For example, the number of counters was increased from eight to 14. Security control was provided with new technical solutions, such as ticket inspection machines and passenger scanners. After the renewal, moving through the security control will be even smoother than before.
Baggage handling underwent the largest renewal when a more efficient baggage sorting system and scanner were installed at the airport. The terminal’s baggage handling area was also increased by 750 square metres.
The new premises and technologies will make the loading of outbound baggage faster and serve passengers travelling with skiing equipment and pushchairs.
Kittilä Airport was renovated thoroughly in 2018–2019. Finavia built new taxiways, more aircraft stands and 2,000 square metres of comfortable passenger space. The airport operator renewed the signs and schedule displays, installed water supply points that the passengers can use to fill in their own bottles and opened a playroom for children. Two new restaurants opened after the renovation.
At the beginning of 2018, Finavia launched a EUR 55 million development programme at Kittilä, Rovaniemi and Ivalo airports. Airport extensions and the new services were implemented in stages in 2018–2019.
“In recent years, Finavia has invested more than EUR 100 million in the development of tourism in Lapland. We are proud of the renewals completed at Lapland airports. They improve our competitiveness, promote tourism in Lapland and make Finland more accessible,” Jolkkonen says.
Read also how Finavia develops it's airports in Lapland and the latest news about the development programme at Helsinki Airport.
Read also how new winter maintenance equipment is tested at Ivalo Airport.
