Finavia to complete the final phase of Kuopio Airport’s runway and taxiway renovations

Kuopio Airport´s runway. CREDIT: Finavia

Finavia will carry out the final phase of the exceptionally extensive runway and taxiway renovation at Kuopio Airport in the summer of 2024. In total, the value of the three-year investment will rise to nearly EUR 20 million, of which the share of the work done in 2024 is about EUR 13 million. Due to the renovation work, flights to and from Kuopio will be suspended from 24 June to0 6 August 2024.

“Finavia’s investment in the renovation and development of the runway and taxiways of Kuopio Airport is very significant in terms of its size. We are very pleased that this year we will be able to carry out the final phase of the large-scale project, which will ensure smooth flight operations well into the future,” says Mari Nurminen, Finavia’s Vice President, Central and Eastern Finland Airports.

Finavia has invested in the long-term development of its airports in Eastern Finland. In 2022, Finavia carried out a EUR 3 million renovation at Savonlinna Airport. During the renovation, the runway and taxiway surfaces were replaced as well as part of the apron that serves as a parking area for aircraft.

In the summer of 2021, Finavia invested EUR 1 million in improving the runway and taxiway of Joensuu Airport. In addition, the runway safety areas at the ends of the runway were renovated and technical preventive maintenance was carried out in the air traffic area.

Flights to and from Kuopio suspended from 24 June to 06 August 2024

The preparatory work for the renovation will begin in mid-May and will last six weeks. The preparatory work will not impact the current air traffic. Flights to and from Kuopio Airport will be suspended during the second phase of the renovation from 24 June to 06 August 2024. The renovation has been timed in such a way that the impact on air travel will be as small as possible. During the break in flights, the nearest airports serving passengers will be the Joensuu, Savonlinna and Jyväskylä airports, from which there is an onward connection to Helsinki Airport. After the break has ended, the third phase of the renovation will be carried out in the airport area. This will have no impact on air traffic.

Kuopio Airport´s terminal building and apron. CREDIT: Finavia

Over the summer, a surface will be made for the runway, after which the runway will be asphalted. During the renovation, the replacement of the runway and taxiway edge lights and electric power systems used by aircraft will also be completed. At the same time, the line of approach lights located in Juurusvesi will be completely replaced. In addition, the B and C taxiways will be widened and all taxiways will be resurfaced. The renovation of the storm water sewer system, which is important for minimising environmental impact, will also be continued.

The replacement of the entire lighting system and electric power system will be carried out in line with Finavia’s climate targets and energy efficiency. The runway and taxiway lights will be replaced with energy-efficient LED technology. During the entire renovation project, up to 12.5 kilometres of new routes will be dug for the cables of new, efficient lighting systems in order to implement the new solutions throughout the airport area.

“As an airport company, we want to enable environmentally friendly energy solutions for those operating at the airport and greatly reduce the environmental impact of Finavia’s own operations,” Nurminen says.

A special feature of Kuopio Airport is the line of approach lights built into a lake, which will be replaced during the renovation. In the design of the line of approach lights in the lake, special attention has been paid to minimising the environmental impact during the construction.

Kuopio Airport´s main entrance. CREDIT: Finavia

The summer 2024 renovation project will employ 80 people in the Kuopio area, and several local companies are involved in its implementation. Finavia’s environmental, electrical and earthworks experts are involved in the design of the project. In addition, planning work has been carried out in close cooperation with the companies and authorities operating at Kuopio Airport.

“It is important for us to be able to provide airlines with an airport environment where their operations can be smooth and efficient. The development of the airport’s infrastructure will enable the continued extensive use of Kuopio Airport by various stakeholders, hopefully for a long time to come.”