Finavia has completed a EUR 1.1 million approach lighting renovation at Tampere-Pirkkala Airport, improving aviation safety and operational resilience.
Finavia has completed a EUR 1.1 million renovation of the air traffic area at Tampere-Pirkkala Airport (TMP), replacing its approach lighting system.
The project was completed on schedule and did not interrupt scheduled air traffic. The renovated system is located at the eastern end of the runway and helps pilots identify the runway’s location and alignment, particularly during darkness, rain, snowfall and low-visibility conditions.
Approach lighting systems are critical to aviation safety, while renovation can involve complex construction because light masts are distributed across large areas, including locations that can be difficult to access.
Mari Nurminen, Airport Manager of Tampere-Pirkkala Airport at Finavia, said the renovation would support operations.
“Renovations of approach lighting systems are important for ensuring continued safe and smooth operations. Lighting system renovations are major construction projects, as there are numerous light masts spread over a large area, parts of which are difficult to access,” Nurminen said.
Finavia said it can often plan air traffic area renovations using its in-house expertise. Planning follows requirements set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom, alongside the airport’s operational requirements.
The design considers the types of approaches made to the runway, determining the placement, height, light intensity, distances and backup arrangements of the lighting.
Terrain elevation, trees, buildings, future land use and flight obstacles must also be considered. Finavia said operational reliability and resilience to disruptions remain priorities throughout construction.
The renovated approach lighting system is 900 metres long and includes 50 light masts ranging from 0.3 to 13.6 metres in height. Approximately 12 kilometres of electrical cables were replaced.
The project introduced 136 energy-efficient high- and low-intensity lighting units, incorporating 182 individual light sources. Around 20 people from local companies were employed through work outside Finavia.
Old lighting units and cables were recycled, while some masts will be reused at other Finavia sites. A total of 24,300 square metres of area was asphalted and repaved during the project.
Tampere-Pirkkala Airport is one of Finavia’s four shared-use airports, serving military and civil aviation. More than 140,000 passengers travelled through the airport in 2025, while 66,505 passengers used it between January and June 2026, a 3.6 per cent increase year on year.
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