Finland's geography of vast forests and lakes does not just make it an interesting destination but also a strategic hub for air travel. In this article, we dive into the Finnish airports with the longest runways, essential for handling commercial, military, and cargo aircraft. As the demand for air travel continues to grow, these airports play a vital role in connecting Finland to the world.
5 Kauhava Airport (KAU)
Used for military operations until 2014, Kauhava Airport ranks as having the fifth-longest runway across Finnish airports. KAU airport has just one runway, with a length of 2,700 meters (8,858 ft).
Although the runway may not be suitable for a fully loaded Airbus A380 or Boeing 747, it can still accommodate a range of other aircraft, including turboprops or popular models like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737.
4 Tampere-Pirkkala Airport (TMP)
Established in 1936, Tampere-Pirkkala Airport holds the distinction of being one of the oldest airports in Finland, also boasting one of the longest runways among the nation's many. Just like the Kauhava Airport, Tampere Airport has just one runway with a length of 2,700 meters (8,858 ft). Paved in 1958, the runway sees use with both commercial and military aircraft.
3 Kuopio Airport (KUO)
Located in the northeast of Finland, Kuopio Airport is the fifth-busiest airport and one of the most profitable in the country. This airport has the third-longest runway, with its length clocking in at 2,800 meters (9,186 ft).
Are you interested in knowing what the world's longest runways are? Click here to read more.
Interestingly, during the establishment of KUO airport in 1939 and throughout the Finnish-Soviet Continuation War, the runways were entirely made of plywood. However, like most runways around the world, they have since been upgraded to asphalt. The airport is shared by the Finnish Air Force and commercial airlines.
2 Rovaniemi Airport (RVN)
Constructed in 1940, the airport initially featured a pair of runways surfaced with grass. During the course of the Continuation War, it operated as an airbase and served as a supply hub for the German Luftwaffe.
The airport has just one runway, with a length of 3,002 meters (9,849 ft). While the runway may not be suitable for a fully loaded Boeing 747-8, which needs a 3,100 meter-long runway, the runway is just suitable to accommodate an Airbus A380 aircraft, which requires 3,000 meters of runway.
1 Helsinki Vantaa International Airport (HEL)
Unsurprisingly, Helsinki Vantaa International Airport, the largest airport in the country, claims the title for the longest runway. HEL airport has a total of three runways, the longest of which stretches an impressive 3,500 meters (11,483 ft). Meanwhile, the second runway measures 3,060 meters (10,039 ft), and the third comes in at 2,901 meters (9,518 ft) in length.
The airport originally had a single runway, with its second runway built four years later in 1956. In 2002, the third runway was inaugurated, and the first aircraft to use it was Finnair's McDonnell Douglas MD-11 on its way to New York.
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Source: Bigorre.org, Finavia