Impact of winter storm Hannes
At Finavia’s airports in Ivalo, Kittilä, and Rovaniemi, air traffic restrictions and suspensions were in effect between 4:00 p.m. and 10:40 p.m. on Saturday, December 27, 2025, due to challenging weather conditions. Flight operations resumed at approximately 8:00 p.m. at Kittilä Airport, 9:00 p.m. at Ivalo Airport, and 10:40 p.m. at Rovaniemi Airport.
Due to flight restrictions and cancellations, some air traffic was diverted from Lapland airports to other airports, including Oulu, Kuusamo, and Helsinki Airport.
In Southern Finland, strong winds occurred overnight (27.-28.12.2025), leading to temporary restrictions at Helsinki Airport. As there are fewer flights during nighttime hours, these restrictions did not have a significant impact on air traffic flow or passengers.
Impacts on Rovaniemi Airport
On Saturday evening, December 27, Finavia called in the Voluntary Rescue Service (Vapepa) to assist passengers at the airport. The airport also opened the old terminal to provide extra space for passengers and distributed water, sleeping pads, and blankets. Volunteers from the Vapepa network, in accordance with an agreement between the Finnish Red Cross Lapland District and Finavia, brought additional blankets and sleeping pads to the airport.
On Sunday, December 28, Rovaniemi Airport handled more flights and passengers than on a typical winter season day due to 20 flights carried over from the previous day. This resulted in queues at various terminal services and delays in air traffic. In addition, hundreds of passengers were still waiting for information from their airline or tour operator about replacement flights. By 7:30 p.m., all passengers had been accommodated inside the terminal to wait.
At Rovaniemi Airport, staff from Finavia and other companies are working determinedly to restore air traffic after the storm. To assist passengers, Finavia is closely cooperating with airlines, tour operators, authorities, the Voluntary Rescue Service, and the Lapland wellbeing services county’s crisis response team.
The update of the bulletin has been completed.
Updated 2. Jan, at 14:00: The update of the bulletin has been completed.
Updated 28 Dec, at 21:20: Added information that all passengers are waiting inside the terminal
Updated 28 Dec, at 15:00 and at 16:43: Added information about Rovaniemi Airport passengers and delays to the traffic
Updated 28 Dec, at 12:04: Added information about Rovaniemi Airport
Updated 28 Dec, at 09:09: Added information on traffic recovery
Updated 27 Dec, at 23:00: Air traffic resumed at Rovaniemi Airport at approximately 22:40 and assessment of storm impact at Helsinki Airport added
Updated 27 Dec, at 21:01: Ivalo Airport reopened for air traffic at approximately 21:00
Updated 27 Dec, at 20:28: Flight operations resumed at Kittilä Airport at approximately 20:00
