Helsinki Airport's 60th anniversary

Helsinki Airport celebrates this year both its 60th anniversary and World Design Capital Helsinki 2012. On this web page you can find out interesting events that will be arranged during 2012 for passengers and all airport visitors.

How did all start 60 years ago?

The planning of a new airport for Helsinki already began in the 1940s when it became obvious that the old airport at Malmi could not handle the increasing number of passengers or the new, heavy aircraft.

After careful research, a new site was found some 20 kilometers from Helsinki city center in an area that today belongs to the town of Vantaa.

Helsinki Airport opened 10th of July 1952. Helsinki Airport operated temporarily during the summer Olympic games in 1952. While Aero (now Finnair) used the old airport at Malmi, charter flights were directed to the new airport.

In the beginning, the airport had an air navigation services building, a 2,000 meter-long runway, an apron area and a shed for passengers. The 1,800 meter-long auxiliary runway was built a few years later. Regular jet flight operation began in 1959. A terminal building was opened in 1969.