newstodate.aero
Nov 04, 2015 (newstodate): Finavia is building for a future with expectations for six mio passengers in 2020, primarily generated by a sustained growth in Finnair's Asian traffic.
-To cope with the situation as Finnair grows its long-haul wide-body Airbus A350 fleet, we are now deep into a project to expand the passenger terminal while retaining the basic principle of having all flights under one roof, says Heini Noronen-Juhola, Finavia VP Airline Operations.
-Starting from 2016 we are to build a new South Pier with gates dedicated to wide-body aircraft, and this pier will become operational from end of 2016 or early 2017. Next, we are to build also a new West Pier, and together these new projects will increase the number of wide-body gates from eight to 17.
-We will not, however, preclude remote parking of even wide-body aircraft to provide flexibility in allocation of gates and parking stands. One-third of the parking stands will also be flexible, allowing for parking of either one large, or two smaller aircraft contributing to optimization of the use of resources.
-To further boost the airport's capabilities, one of the new gates will be designed to allow for handling of even larger aircraft like the Airbus A380. We do not specifically plan for traffic with this aircraft type but we have had two A380 operations already, and Helsinki Airport may also serve as an alternate airport in case of needs.
-While on-gate de-icing at Helsinki Airport is now prohibited by EU regulation, the new gates will be constructed so as to allow for de-icing of aircraft at the gate which will further ease the aircraft operations and avoid any bottle-neck due to aircraft queuing for de-icing prior to entry onto the runway, says Ms Noronen-Juyhola.
While Finland's Nordic climate requires de-icing operations during half of the year, the airport has a high up-time rate.
Actually, the last time Helsinki Airport was closed due to bad weather was in 2013 - for half an hour...
-To cope with the situation as Finnair grows its long-haul wide-body Airbus A350 fleet, we are now deep into a project to expand the passenger terminal while retaining the basic principle of having all flights under one roof, says Heini Noronen-Juhola, Finavia VP Airline Operations.
-Starting from 2016 we are to build a new South Pier with gates dedicated to wide-body aircraft, and this pier will become operational from end of 2016 or early 2017. Next, we are to build also a new West Pier, and together these new projects will increase the number of wide-body gates from eight to 17.
-We will not, however, preclude remote parking of even wide-body aircraft to provide flexibility in allocation of gates and parking stands. One-third of the parking stands will also be flexible, allowing for parking of either one large, or two smaller aircraft contributing to optimization of the use of resources.
-To further boost the airport's capabilities, one of the new gates will be designed to allow for handling of even larger aircraft like the Airbus A380. We do not specifically plan for traffic with this aircraft type but we have had two A380 operations already, and Helsinki Airport may also serve as an alternate airport in case of needs.
-While on-gate de-icing at Helsinki Airport is now prohibited by EU regulation, the new gates will be constructed so as to allow for de-icing of aircraft at the gate which will further ease the aircraft operations and avoid any bottle-neck due to aircraft queuing for de-icing prior to entry onto the runway, says Ms Noronen-Juyhola.
While Finland's Nordic climate requires de-icing operations during half of the year, the airport has a high up-time rate.
Actually, the last time Helsinki Airport was closed due to bad weather was in 2013 - for half an hour...