As the volume of air traffic increases, the goal of the construction and modification work is to ensure the sufficiency of services and capacity prior to the completion of new terminal facilities and airport infrastructure.
More capacity for bus transport between terminal and aircraft
The volume of bus transport from terminal to aircraft and back will increase before the terminal expansion is completed in full and the new bridge spots of wide-bodied aircraft are gradually introduced by 2020.
However, the service level will increase at the beginning of June when the new bus building and its new departure gates open. The area will offer additional capacity for about 1,000 departing passengers and 12 apron buses. The size of the new building will be 3,000 m2.
Photo: The bus building, located between Hotel Hilton and the terminal, will be connected to the non-Schengen area with a tube bridge that will be located near Gate 36 and Gate 37. Departure gate numbers will be specified later.
A bus area will also be completed at the beginning of June between Gate 32 and Gate 34. Some of the passengers from non-Schengen countries will enter the terminal through the area. The area will also be connected to the non-Schengen area with a connecting hallway. The goal is to use the area for a couple of years until the new terminal facilities are completed.
In addition to the expansion of passenger facilities, Finavia will also invest in new buses. We will acquire 11 apron buses, some of which increase capacity and some replace current buses.
The new bus fleet will be introduced in two phases. Bus capacity will increase by six buses in June 2016. The final five buses will be introduced in summer 2017.
More service outlets for security control and border control
Security control, serving transit travel at Helsinki Airport, will also be expanded in June. In future, two additional lines will serve non-EU passengers continuing their trip to another EU country. The goal of this is to retain the ease and speed of switching planes.
Border control capacity will increase, too. Modification is currently in progress at the terminal in order to increase the number of passport control machines and checkpoints. The new lines will be introduced at the beginning of June.
Baggage handling facility expansion
The increasing passenger volume also increases the need for more baggage handling space. Finavia will expand the existing baggage facility in the hall located next to the terminal so that there will be enough capacity prior to the introduction of the actual new baggage system.
The hall will be equipped with two new unloading lines in addition to the current four lines. Storage capacity will also increase as the “baggage hotel” will get more space. The space is for storing bags that are brought to the airport several hours before flight departure.
Photo: The total length of the existing baggage system is 11 km. Additional baggage capacity will be introduced in July 2016.
Towards the year 2020
The objective of Finavia's EUR 900 million development programme is to strengthen the position of Helsinki Airport among international airports and as an important hub between Europe and Asia.
Having an internationally competitive airport is vital considering the whole of Finland, and it maintains good flight connections from Finland to different parts of the world.
Photo: The airport expansion will make it possible to serve 20 million passengers in 2020.
Construction of south wing launched 4 January 2016
