Finnish airport operator Finavia officially opened the new 90,000ft² South Pier yesterday (July 10) located on the southern tip of Terminal 2 (T2) at Helsinki Airport. The new extension includes three new boarding bridges for wide-body aircraft and Finland’s first passenger travelator.
The terminal appearance has been designed to celebrate Finnish design and expertise, and incorporates large glass facades, wood stained veneer walls, and furniture designed and created by domestic manufacturers.
The south pier is part of Finavia’s overall development program, which will expand the terminal by more than 100,000m² (1,100,000ft²). The project will be implemented in several phases with completion scheduled for 2020. The next milestone in the development program will be the inauguration of the central plaza at the start of 2019. The plaza will become the heart of the extension through which all long-haul flight passengers will depart and arrive.
Henri Hansson, technical director, Finavia, said, “On the 6th of July, around 200 volunteers took up the task to test the functionality of the South Pier and verify that everything is working as it should. According to the feedback from the testers, the new extension is full of light, comfortable and a well-functioning part of the airport. It could be taken into use straight away after the test.
“Opening the South Pier for air traffic is a unique moment in the history of the airport. I want to thank everybody who took part in the test for their important contribution to the development of Helsinki Airport.”