Finland: Major Change Coming to Regional Airport Operations in Finland – Air Traffic Control for Seven Airports to Be Managed from Helsinki

A significant transformation is planned for the operations of several regional airports in Finland. In the future, air traffic control services for Turku, Mariehamn, Vaasa, Ivalo, Kittilä, Kuusamo, and Oulu airports will be provided remotely from a new remote air traffic control centre to be established at Helsinki Airport.

The centre will be operated by Fintraffic, Finland’s air navigation service provider. Within the next few years, air traffic at these seven airports will be managed through advanced remote tower technology and real-time video connections from Helsinki.

According to Fintraffic, the remote air traffic control centre at Helsinki Airport will gradually assume responsibility for the selected airports, enabling more efficient use of resources while maintaining high levels of safety and operational reliability.

Airports that support Finnish Defence Forces flight operations will not be included in the remote air traffic control programme.

The initiative also excludes airports served by government-subsidised regional air services operating to and from Helsinki Airport.

The project marks a major step in the modernization and digitalization of Finland’s air traffic management system and is expected to enhance the efficiency of regional airport operations nationwide.

Source: YLE 06/2026