"Summer is a busy time at Helsinki Airport. When the number of flights increases during the holiday season, there will be more aircraft noise than during the winter season. Runway use choices and weather phenomena, such as the wind conditions, can affect the direction of aircraft noise," says Ari Pietilä, Head of Aircraft Noise Management at Finavia.
Aircraft noise comes from the sound created by the engines of the aircraft and by the air flowing around the aircraft's fuselage. The intensity of aircraft noise depends, for example, on the type of aircraft and flight altitude and direction, as well as environmental conditions such as wind and temperature.
Wind and weather conditions can affect aircraft noise
"The most significant daily variable factor in terms of aircraft noise is the wind direction. Aircraft always try to land and take off against the wind, which is why the use of runways varies. For reasons of aviation safety, it's not always possible to make the optimal choice in terms of noise," Pietilä says.
Thunderclouds, on the other hand, can prevent aircraft from landing and taking off, which can affect the choice of runway. The flight's captain may deviate from the normal flight route to avoid thunderstorms. Learn more about the impact of weather on air traffic.
Use of runway 1 towards the south will increase in the summer
In the summer, Finns will fly south more often during the holiday months, which increases the use of runway 1 (22L). There will be more take-offs from runway 1 especially during the busiest periods in the morning and the afternoon.
"Low-noise jet aircraft and turboprop aircraft use runway 1 (22L) for take-offs. They mainly fly south and across Eastern Europe towards Mediterranean destinations," Pietilä says.
After the quieter winter season, this will bring more aircraft flying over the Ylästö, Vaskipelto, Malminkartano and Pitäjänmäki areas in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.
"This summer, the renovation work on runway 2 at Helsinki Airport will also temporarily increase the number of take-offs from runway 1 towards the south," Pietilä says.
The volume of air traffic will decrease during the autumn.
"In the summer, we will carry out a periodic aircraft noise measurement below the route from runway 1 in Vaskipelto. We will measure the noise levels from departing aircraft, and the information will be displayed in the flight route and noise tracking system WebTrak, which is maintained by Finavia," Pietilä says.
Fact box: Noise management during the 2025 summer season
- The use of runway 1 (22L) for take-offs will increase during the summer season. The runway will be available for low-noise jet aircraft from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., unless otherwise required by aviation safety.
- Various weather phenomena, such as the wind and thunderstorms, can affect flight routes and therefore the direction of aircraft noise.
- Aircraft noise information can be tracked in the WebTrak service, where Finavia provides information on current issues related to aircraft noise at Helsinki Airport.
- Finavia is renovating Helsinki Airport’s runway 2 in summer 2025. Runway 2 will be closed to air traffic from 14 April to 31 August 2025. Learn more about the runway renovation.
- Learn more about aircraft noise management at Helsinki Airport