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Helsinki Airport's non-Schengen area granted a prestigious sustainability certification

Article published
29.10.2021 at 11:49
Helsinki-Vantaan lentoaseman Aukio sinisessä värityksessä
People & Aviation
Finavia has been awarded the international BREEAM certification as proof of the development programme's comprehensive sustainability work concerning the expansion of the long-haul flight area. The development of Aukio and the West Pier as part of the project achieved the ‘excellent’ rating of the certification.

“Sustainability has been an important goal throughout the development programme. It defines everything we do; planning, construction, cooperation and maintenance. We are happy that Aukio and the West Pier achieved the set sustainability goals,” says Henri Hansson, Technical Director at Finavia.

Finavia received particularly good assessments on project management, energy solutions, land use and eco-friendliness. The waste management received also high ratings.

BREEAM is an international method for assessing the overall sustainability of projects. In addition to the environmental sustainability of infrastructure and buildings, it also takes into account social and economic sustainability.

The expansion of the long-haul flight area includes, in addition to the West Pier and Aukio, the South Pier which has already been granted a corresponding certificate at an excellent rating.

“We are proud to be able to offer passengers world-class terminal facilities that are sustainably implemented.

An investment in an area serving non-Schengen flights and passengers

The main objective of the expansion of the long-haul flight area as part of the Helsinki Airport development programme is to support the airport's position as a significant hub for long-haul traffic and to develop the service level. Improving the efficiency of energy use and reducing emissions have also been central to the design of the development programme.

The solar power plants built on the roof of the terminal produce renewable energy and automation has been able to significantly improve the energy efficiency of lighting.

The BREEAM certificate is issued by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) Global Ltd, established in the UK in the 1920s. BRE aims to develop the built environment. In assessing the level of sustainability, BRE takes into account the life cycle of projects from design to construction and from finishing works to commissioning. According to BRE, certified facilities improve well-being and support the sustainable use of natural resources.

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The expansion of the long-haul flight area at Helsinki Airport has been completed | Finavia