Launched in 2013, Finavia’s development programme at Helsinki Airport has already offered new jobs equalling 3,000 person-years. Finavia's investments have a significant impact on the Finnish economy, already during the construction period. In 2020, the expanded Helsinki Airport will support Finland's competitiveness even further.
The employment effect of the Helsinki Airport development programme extending to 2020 totals approximately 14,000 person-years. By the beginning of November 2016, the programme has already offered new jobs equalling 3,000 person-years. The programme has mainly been implemented using Finnish labour.
- Helsinki Airport development programme has significant financial impact. Through this programme, we are doing our best to improve the employment situation in Finland. The ground rule is that for every one million new passengers there will be one thousand new jobs at Helsinki Airport, says Kari Savolainen, CEO of Finavia.
The passenger volume at Helsinki Airport is expected grow from the current 16 million to 20 million by 2020. The development programme will create roughly 5,000 new permanent jobs at the airport. At the moment, Helsinki Airport employs directly or indirectly some 20,000 people in more than 1,500 companies.
Investments in regional airports create regional jobs
In addition to Helsinki Airport, Finavia has invested some EUR 100 million in its network airports in 2013–2015. The regional employment effect of these investments is an estimated 1,600 person-years.
- Finland’s airport network has gained reputation worldwide. This year, the World Economic Forum ranked it among the best in the world and number one in the Nordics. Functional air traffic and an internationally successful airport offer important support to our country's competitiveness, Savolainen says.
Air traffic accounts for approximately three per cent of the Finnish GDP and, directly or indirectly, employs 100,000 people. The aviation industry pays EUR 2.5 billion in direct and indirect taxes to the state.
The airport environment attracts Finnish and international companies
Within a few years, one of the most significant business areas in Finland has grown around Helsinki Airport. The excellent range of flights and the train connection to the centre of Helsinki attract both domestic and international companies to the airport.
Located next to the airport, Aviapolis is the most rapidly growing business area and employment centre in the Helsinki region with more than 1,000 companies and 35,000 employees. In 2018, Aviapolis Studios, a new media and entertainment centre, will open in the area. In October 2016, Norway-based Nordic Choice Hotels opened two Clarion hotels in Finland, one right next to Helsinki Airport.
