The last phase of the renovation of Helsinki Airport's runway 2 to begin – runway closed 14 April–31 August 2025

During the renovation, Finavia will renovate the southern end of the runway and the taxiways and replace the runway approach equipment. In connection with the renovation, the stormwater drainage system, which is important for reducing the environmental impacts of aviation, will be replaced over a total distance of 2.4 kilometres. In addition, the electrical infrastructure in the area will be replaced for a total of 30 kilometres. The new electrical system will include, for example, a new field lighting system that is more reliable and energy-efficient than the current system. 

Preparatory work for the renovation has been carried out in 2024 and in early 2025. During the preparatory work, the runway will be in normal use, but short-term restrictions on the use of the runway may occur, if necessary. The renovation of the runway will begin on 14 April and end on 31 August 2025. After this, finishing work will be carried out in the areas surrounding the runway for a few weeks, which will have temporary effects on the use of the runway during the day. 

"Lifecycle management, regular renovations and inspections are extremely important for ensuring safe and punctual air traffic," says Jani Elasmaa, Finavia's Vice President responsible for Helsinki Airport's apron and runway operations. 

The total value of the renovation of the runway's ends is nearly EUR 30 million. The share of the renovation work carried out in 2025 is EUR 18.5 million. The renovation of the northern end of the runway, which is part of the same project, was carried out in summer 2023. 

Effects on air traffic, take-offs and landings  

During the renovation, runway 2 will not be in use, which means that the number of runways in use at Helsinki Airport will be temporarily reduced. Helsinki Airport has two other runways that will be in normal use, but the lack of one runway may be reflected in flight schedules during challenging wind conditions. In particular, strong southeasterly and northwesterly winds may affect how aircraft can use the two runways in use. 

"Completing the renovation of runway 2 is an important part of the lifecycle management of Helsinki Airport's runway infrastructure. We understand that the renovation also has impacts outside the airport, and we will pay attention to how we can reduce the impacts during the renovation in all our operations. We apologise for any inconvenience the renovation may cause to passengers. The renovation of the runway is an absolute prerequisite for continuing to use the runway in the future," Jani Elasmaa says. 

Due to the renovation, the landing directions of the aircraft will be different from the usual. During the renovation, landing aircraft will use runways 1 and 3, which will temporarily increase aircraft noise in areas such as Kerava, Tuusula and Järvenpää. In addition, during the renovation, the take-offs using runway 2 will be moved to runways 1 and 3, which will increase the number of aircraft taking off mainly southwards from these runways. During the summer, Finavia will take into account the changed use of runways and the noise impacts caused by them in the noise measurements carried out in the vicinity of the airport. 

The runway renovation will begin around the same time as the start of the summer season, when the number of operations at Helsinki Airport will increase. The international summer season of air traffic always starts on the last Sunday of March. 

"We expect a busy summer season and have worked hard to ensure that airlines can operate smoothly at Helsinki Airport despite the renovation," Jani Elasmaa says. 

FINAVIA CORPORATION 
Communications 

Fact box

Runway 2 and renovation  Helsinki Airport’s runway 2, known as the transverse runway, is 2,900 metres long and 60 metres wide. In order to ensure efficient take-offs and landings in different directions, runway 2 was built in a different direction than runways 1 and 3.  Planning for the construction of runway 2 began as soon as the airport opened in the 1950s. At that time, only one runway was in use, and it was not possible to use an alternative runway during difficult wind conditions.   In addition to the southern end of the runway currently undergoing renovation, the northern end of the runway was renovated in summer 2023. In addition, the middle part of the runway was renovated in 2017.

Why is runway 2 also called 15/33?  Airport runways are named after compass bearings. This is a worldwide practice.  The compass bearing of Helsinki Airport’s runway 2 is about 150 degrees, which means that one of its identification numbers is 15. Because the runway can be used in both directions, the other bearing is 180 degrees more. This means that runway 2’s other identification number is calculated as 15 + 18 = 33. The numbering of Helsinki Airport’s runway 2 is a combination of both numbers, i.e. 15/33.  The name "runway 2" is often used in spoken language and is based on the order of completion of Helsinki Airport's runways. Runway 1 was opened in 1952, runway 2 in 1956 and runway 3 in 2002.