Airport of the year

Trusting in snow and Father Christmas in Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi Airport has satisfied customers, service-minded and committed staff , and smoothly running security checks. The Airport’s finances are also in good shape. These factors and others influenced Finavia’s decision to choose Rovaniemi as the airport of the year for 2006.

“All our employees have internalized how important the airport is to
Lapland and tourism in Lapland,” explains regional manager and airport manager Martti Oinas. “Therefore we work with a good attitude and in the right spirit.”

The roughly 110,000 passengers from charter and scheduled air services at Christmas makes up a quarter of the entire passenger number for the year at Rovaniemi. The passenger figures for international traffic for Christmas 2006 increased 18 per cent compared with the previous year and reached almost 76,000 passengers.

The airport has coped with the peak periods through special arrangements, the planning of which involves the participation of the staff.

“Many Christmas travellers only stay in Rovaniemi for a day: from six to nine hours. Passengers need to get through the airport quickly, so we have to serve passengers efficiently. Maintenance must keep the runways clear of ice and snow, air navigation must operate safely and security checking must flow smoothly.”

International passengers arrive at Rovaniemi not only on charter flights. There are seven daily flights from Helsinki to the airport also bringing considerable numbers of foreign travellers. Rovaniemi is currently served by Finnair and Blue1.

“The airport is seeking growth through international traffic. Finnair’s focus on services to the Far East brings passengers from Asia to Rovaniemi every day. I believe that the number of passengers will only increase as the word about Lapland’s uniqueness spreads. At least we here at the airport firmly trust in the snow - and Father Christmas,” reveals Mr. Oinas.