Artistic rendering of the airport’s planned expansion. Photo: UKI Architects Oy
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Finavia will expand the terminal at Rovaniemi Airport in 2025 after a sharp rise in passenger numbers driven by international tourism to Lapland.
The €3 million project will add nearly 1,000 square metres to the departure hall. Construction begins in April and will finish by November, in time for the winter 2025–2026 season. The project will not interrupt airport operations or scheduled flights.
In 2024, Rovaniemi Airport served 948,000 passengers, a 29 percent rise from the previous year. Of these, 44 percent were international arrivals. The airport ranks among the three best in Europe in its category, according to Airports Council International.
The expansion reflects sustained interest from airlines and travellers. Rovaniemi serves as a key entry point to the Arctic region. Many passengers travel during the winter season, particularly around December.
Jani Jolkkonen, Director of Finavia’s Airport Network, said the investment prepares the airport for continued growth.
“Finavia has for years supported the development of Lapland’s airports to allow regional tourism to expand. We are now responding to the continued growth in demand with this new investment in Rovaniemi,” Jolkkonen said.
The expansion will involve changes to road traffic arrangements near the terminal. These adjustments will be made in the summer of 2025 but will not affect air traffic.
Rovaniemi Airport last underwent major expansion between 2018 and 2020. During that time, Finavia spent €25 million increasing terminal space by 5,000 square metres. The upgrade included three new departure gates, six additional check-in lines, and a larger baggage handling centre. Retail and dining facilities were also renewed.
Finavia invested a total of €60 million across Rovaniemi, Kittilä, and Ivalo airports during that period. In the last ten years, Finavia has spent over €100 million improving airports in Finnish Lapland.
Besides development projects, Finavia has invested in the long-term maintenance of airport infrastructure, including runway resurfacing and equipment upgrades.
As a result of these efforts, the region’s airports reached net-zero carbon emissions in 2024. Finavia also holds Visit Finland’s sustainable travel certification for its Lapland operations.
Rovaniemi Airport was built in 1939 and began regular service in 1940. Scheduled flights resumed after the Second World War in 1948. The airport received its first Christmas charter flight from London on 25 December 1984.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
