One of our challenges for the next few years is to find
a long term solution to the problem of baggage handling
systems and facilities at our primary airport. We have gone
as far as we can with rearranging and fine-tuning our present
facilities so we are in all probability facing a major and
separate project, the by-product of which will be the creation
on the upper floor of terminal space for 4 million extra
passengers, as well as facilities for five new aircraft
boarding bridges.
The age of economical, gradual enlargements at Helsinki-Vantaa
is over and we must now jump from today’s annual capacity
of 12 million passengers to catering for 16 million. However,
the situation is under control, both financially and operationally.
The plans are already afoot and the earliest possible time
to begin the expansion will be the autumn of 2006.
Mikko Talvitie
