Finnish airports operator Finavia is forging ahead with plans to develop Helsinki Airport (HEL) as a single-building gateway in order to remain an attractive international transfer hub in the competitive European market.

 

Finavia has outlined a €900m ($1,165m) development and expansion programme for HEL to 2020 with plans for increasing transfer traffic capacity at its core.

 

The one-roof concept in an L-shaped format ensures new services, including duty free and travel retail, will be conveniently located in a single building.

 

Airport Director Ville Haapasaari (below) explains: “This allows us to keep distances short and services easily accessible and provide a customer-friendly experience. This concept makes it easier to boost the number of transit passengers. Transferring from one gate to another will be easy and quick.”

 

ASIAN DRIVER

The main source of growth for HEL is transit travel between Asia and Europe and Finavia already cites short transit times and smooth transit processes as its strengths compared to other hubs.

 

Haapasaari says that Finavia has been studying dozens of different scenarios for many years, taking into account the views and suggestions of airport users, such as airlines and other operators.

 

At World Duty Free, the new DF&TR operator at HEL, International Operations Director, Pedro Castro (right) tells TRBusiness: “In terms of the retail space we have two walkthrough stores which are well located to capture passenger flow. The fact that Helsinki operates out of one building is very convenient for passengers and helps maximise footfall and dwell time.”

 

NO SATELLITES

Finavia rejected the construction of a separate satellite terminal – an option at one point – and chose instead to elongate the existing terminal instead (see main image).

 

“Compared with the other models, the one-roof concept is the best option in terms of operational efficiency and customer-friendliness. It is also an ecological solution because a single terminal reduces the need for services such as bus transport,” Haapasaari adds.

 

Despite no additional buildings, there will be more aircraft stands on the apron and more parking spots for both wide-bodied and narrow-bodied planes. Between 10 and 14 additional passenger bridges are planned.

 

THREE-STAGE EXPANSION

First, Finavia will enlarge the facilities for long-haul passengers and increase the number of spots for wide-bodied aircraft for transit traffic. Then, transit capacity will be increased and the service level for European and domestic flights improved. Finally, Finavia intends to expand Terminal 2 to cover the ground traffic area so that the check-in, security control and baggage drop will all take place in one departure/arrival hall.

 

Expanding the facilities to the area in front of the terminal will allow an overhaul of commercial services as well as the existing parking and public transport arrangements. Some improvements will be in place by next year with train services to the airport starting in July 2015.

 

One part of the development programme has already been completed: since May, departing passengers in T2 have seen better services while capacity in the terminal is now substantially higher.

 

HEL is undergoing its largest ever service overhaul. All restaurant and cafe services are to be upgraded and the shops operated by WDF will add top international brands (left). The airport will have a total of 70 new or refurbished shops and cafes.