The expansion of the terminal at Jyväskylä Airport
was inaugurated in November 2004, doubling the floor space
of the building erected in 1988.
The work, which lasted a year, was completed on schedule
and care was taken not to let it interfere with passengers.
Flights continued as normal throughout the operation. Passengers
were able to start using the new facilities at the end of
July although renovation work on the old section of the
building continued until the end of October. Freight operations
shifted to the terminal building at the beginning of November.
The expansion provides plenty of extra space for both departing
and arriving passengers, and the baggage conveyance system
and handling facilities were also renewed during the renovation.
Check-in and load planning control have been grouped together
with hold luggage and personal security control points in
the new building, making for greater efficiency and security.
The airport’s catering amenities have also been improved
with the addition of new commercial kitchen facilities,
whilst a private incoming firm which opened in early November
for travellers arriving in Jyväskylä represents
an entirely new form of service for the airport.
“I am pleased with the bright, new look of the airport,”
said Jyväskylä Airport manager Markku Linna. “The
architect has succeeded in those very issues that we discussed
at the beginning of the design process –security,
efficiency and the spirit of central Finland.”
The architects Helin & Co Arkkitehdit Oy were responsible
for the design of the building, which incorporates large
areas of wood such as alder and planed spruce. These bring
a breath of the central Finnish countryside to the building
as well as a reminder of the region’s long heritage
of timber production and refining.
The expansion, which cost more than five million euros,
was funded on the so-called three pillar principle, involving
The Finnish CAA, Jykes (the Jyväskylä regional
development company) and the central Finland employment
agency. Support was also provided by the European regional
development fund.
The Jyväskylä Airport terminal expansion is seen
as extremely important for the development and business
life of the region. It is also expected to improve the growth
prospects for a business park around the airport. For the
town of Jyväskylä it will make the region even
more attractive as a place for various events and conferences
as well as for study and research.
