The renovation of Helsinki Airport’s runway 2 will be completed on schedule - runway use will return to normal

”The renovation of Helsinki Airport’s runways is part of the lifecycle management of the critical airport infrastructure, which enables good operating conditions for airlines and runway users. Following the renovation carried out between April and August, the runway will be in good condition for years to come,” 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 was nearly EUR 30 million. The share of the renovation work carried out in 2025 was EUR 18.5 million. During the renovation, Finavia repaired the southern end of the runway and the taxiway intersections and replaced the runway approach equipment. At the same time, the stormwater network, which is important for reducing the environmental impacts of aviation, and the electrical infrastructure in the area were replaced. Following the last phase of the renovation, the field lighting system of runway 15/33 has been modernised to be more reliable for the entire runway, which will promote overall energy savings.

Recycled asphalt was used during the project, which reduced the need for new raw materials and reduced emissions and costs related to production and transport. The stone material excavated from the area during the project was used in the structural layers of the runway and as filler material for the areas at the end of the runway. As a result, the need for transporting soil was low, considering the scale of the project.

Runway 2 will enter into operational use on 1 September 2025, when all runways of Helsinki Airport will be available for landing and departing aircraft. The availability of three runways will also affect the direction of aircraft noise, as part of the traffic will return to using runway 2 (15) for take-offs in the direction of Tikkurila and northern Helsinki. In addition, landings will be made using runway 2 from the direction of Nurmijärvi, especially at night-time.

After the opening of runway 2, 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. However, the work will not affect the smoothness of air traffic.

Lifecycle management of runways at Finavia’s airports

Qualitatively, one of the most critical factors in the runway renovation project is the planning of the properties of the building materials and the monitoring of the implementation, as the superstructure of the runway is exposed to exceptional stress in Finnish conditions.

The pavement must be able to withstand severe freezing temperatures and frequent freezing and thawing. In addition, the pavement must withstand mechanical snow removal and the anti-icing agents used in winter maintenance. In the summer, the pavement is exposed to high temperatures. The load caused by the weight of the aircraft also puts stress on the runways and sets strict requirements for them.

Materials are selected from the perspective of long-term durability and ensuring they can best withstand wide temperature fluctuations, load and year-round maintenance. The condition of the runways is monitored and observed continuously to ensure the safe use of the runways. These aspects are essential for maintaining safety, durability and operational reliability in one of the most demanding climates in Europe.   

FINAVIA CORPORATION 
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Runway 2 and renovation

The total value of the renovation of the runway's ends was nearly EUR 30 million. The share of the renovation work carried out in 2025 was 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.

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.

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 larger. 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.