Finavia invests in developing Lapland tourism

Dan Görgü

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The development of passenger numbers at Rovaniemi Airport has been very strong in recent years on a European scale. In 2024, the number of passengers grew by almost 30 percent compared to the previous year. As a result, the number of passengers at Rovaniemi was already close to a million last year, most of whom were international travelers.

Lapland is an attractive travel destination, and interest in Lapland tourism has grown significantly in recent years, leading to increased interest from airlines in Rovaniemi. By expanding the passenger facilities at Rovaniemi Airport, preparations are being made for the continued growth of Lapland tourism and to ensure a smooth passenger experience going forward.

“For years, Finavia has invested in developing Lapland’s airports to enable the growth and development of tourism in the Lapland region. We implemented a significant 60 million euro investment program at the Rovaniemi, Kittilä and Ivalo airports between 2018-2020. Rovaniemi Airport’s share was just under half of the total investment at 25 million euros. Thanks to the previous investments and continuous development of the customer experience, tourist satisfaction with the airport experience in Lapland is very high. It is clear that we must maintain a good passenger experience even in this rapid growth phase, which is why I am very pleased to announce this new investment in Rovaniemi,” commented Jani Jolkkonen, Director of Finavia’s Airport Network, on the investment decision.

Expansion Work to Take Place April-November

The new extension will be located in front of the airport terminal, increasing the size of the departure lobby by nearly a thousand square meters. Due to the changes, traffic arrangements in front of the airport will be modified during the summer.

The expansion carried out in summer 2025 will not affect air traffic operations. Construction work at the airport will begin as planned in April 2025 and will be completed in November 2025.

Long-term Finavia Investments in Lapland Tourism

Over the past ten years, Finavia has invested over 100 million euros in the development of Lapland’s airports. In addition to development investments, Finavia has carried out normal lifecycle management of airport infrastructure, including runway renovations and equipment acquisitions. As a result of long-term sustainability efforts, Lapland’s airports achieved net zero emissions in 2024 and also have Visit Finland’s sustainable tourism certificate.