Terminal 1 at Helsinki Airport will be reopened to passengers on 12 July 2021. The terminal has been closed for over a year due to the low passenger volumes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The main reason for the reopening of T1 is the time taken by health security processes, which currently leads to occasional congestion in Terminal 2.
Even though T2 is designed for much larger passenger volumes than currently, the available space isn't large enough.
“Even at low passenger volumes, T2 is becoming too crowded due to health security processes. A smoother procedure involving the inspection of documentation related to health security requirements prior to arriving at the airport would reduce queueing, speed up departure processes and improve the travel experience,” says Timo Järvelä, Vice President, Passenger Experience and Processes at Finavia.
In the first stage, check-in counters will be opened for passengers, with security controls to follow in the second stage. The changes only apply to passengers who carry out their check-in procedures in T1.
“The resumption of operations in T1 is a sign of the world reopening and people once again having the opportunity to travel.”
For passengers, the reopening of T1 brings some benefits in addition to increased space. Due to the temporary traffic arrangements resulting from the Helsinki Airport development programme, the passenger drop-off zone is currently the area in front of T1. The short-term parking area and parking area P3 are also located directly in front of T1. This means that passengers who carry out their check-in procedures in T1 can walk directly from their car to the right terminal. There is also a COVID-19 testing station run by a private operator in the immediate vicinity of the terminal.
Security controls will be carried out in Terminal 2 for the time being
After checking in, passengers are required to walk to the security control in T2 and proceed from there to the departure gate.
Security controls in T1 will be reopened when the EU’s internal border controls are no longer in effect or when passenger volumes increase significantly.
“When the internal border controls are removed, security control in T1 will first reopen during peak times, such as the morning hours, and the operating hours will be expanded when passenger volumes increase.
When security control in T1 reopens partially, it will be important for passengers to visit Finavia’s website to check the operating hours and other instructions before they come to the airport.
“Passengers should make sure they have enough time to catch their flight. We apologise for some passengers having to walk longer distances than usual to reach the security control area. This is a temporary arrangement that will be in effect until borders are reopened and travel returns to normal.
The reopening of T1 means that the airlines that previously operated in T1 – such as SAS and Lufthansa – will move back to T1. Norwegian will also operate from T1. The new contract airlines that operate domestic flights on a purchased traffic basis will also operate out of T1.
