Kokkola-Pietarsaari Airport was opened to traffic in 1960. The airport employs 15 Finavia employees. Many of them are so-called all-rounders, i.e. employees who have the training and competence to perform a wide range of tasks at the airport. Currently, the airport serves the state’s purchased traffic, which ensures that there is a connection from the airport to Helsinki Airport. The projects implemented in the summer of 2025 had no impact on air traffic.
Life-cycle management is part of maintaining the airport infrastructure required by air traffic
The projects at Kokkola-Pietarsaari Airport in summer 2025 focused on developing the airport’s electricity supply and repairing the approach lighting system used by aircraft. The renovation of the airport’s electricity supply was carried out between June and September and completed on schedule.
Ensuring the supply of electricity is part of the maintenance of critical airport infrastructure, which ensures an uninterrupted supply of electricity to the airport. The summer project significantly increased the operational reliability of the airport’s electrical systems, which means that the runway can be used during poor visibility caused by fog, for example. The electrical systems extend extensively to the Kokkola-Pietarsaari Airport area, and nearly 1.5 kilometres of new electrical cables were installed during the summer 2025 renovation.
“Responsible life cycle management is an important part of ensuring that air traffic can operate at the airport. Airports have a lot of critical infrastructure. Its maintenance requires special expertise and financial investments,” says Airport Manager at Kokkola-Pietarsaari Airport Mika Järvinen from Finavia.
In addition to improving the reliability of the electricity supply, the airport's approach lighting system at the northern end of the runway was repaired. This was completed in August. Proactive renovation work was carried out last winter when the tall posts were built indoors.
The approach light line consists of dozens of tall light poles that form a light line to support aircraft as they land. The height of the light poles is determined by the shape of the terrain, which is why the pole structures come in various sizes. The tallest posts, which were installed at the lowest points of the terrain, are as high as 11.5 metres. As the approach lighting system was repaired, the old approach light poles were saved, as they can be used for other purposes both at Kokkola-Pietarsaari Airport and other network airports.
Finavia’s personnel made significant contributions during the projects
Various Finavia network airports employ so-called all-rounders. The airport is a well-regulated operating environment, and the performance of various tasks requires special training and regulatory qualifications. With the help of the all-rounders, the airport’s personnel resources can be used efficiently during shifts. The system also provides employees with more diverse tasks.
This means that every employee at Kokkola-Pietarsaari Airport is involved in a wide range of tasks, both inside the terminal and in the outdoor areas of the airport. In addition to all-rounders, in-depth expertise is also required, as maintaining and developing the airport infrastructure requires thorough specialist expertise and understanding of the operating environment.
The summer 2025 projects were implemented almost entirely with the input and expertise of Finavia’s employees. All Finavia employees at Kokkola-Pietarsaari Airport participated in one or both projects. The work community shared their expertise and trained the team in project tasks, such as assembling structures. Projects were also managed by Finavia’s personnel. The use of Finavia’s personnel enabled both projects to be implemented more efficiently than the planned investment amount.
“The personnel at Kokkola-Pietarsaari Airport did a great job with this summer’s projects. The atmosphere was encouraging, inclusive and proactive, which is why the implementation of the projects was so successful. I would like to thank everyone involved for their important contribution and commitment,” says Mika Järvinen.
