Construction Begins on Finland’s Eighth Doctor Helicopter Base in Kouvola

The construction of Finland’s eighth doctor helicopter base has commenced after a long wait. The new facility is being built at the Utti airport area in Kouvola. Groundwork is currently underway, and the building’s foundations and framework are expected to be completed by the fall.

FinnHEMS property manager Kimmo Pendolin explained that the Utti base will mirror the other FinnHEMS helicopter bases. The building will include accommodation and social areas for the on-duty doctor, paramedic, and pilot, alongside a hangar for the helicopter and a garage for two medical vehicles.

The base will span approximately 1,000 square meters and is set for completion by fall next year, employing around 20 workers at peak construction. Operations are expected to begin in early 2026.

The need for a medical helicopter in Southeast Finland surfaced nearly a decade ago. In 2015, the Parliamentary Ombudsman noted that Southeast Finland and Ostrobothnia required a medical helicopter to ensure equal access to services for citizens. While the Ostrobothnia medical helicopter began operations in 2022, the launch of the Southeast Finland helicopter faced delays due to political disputes over the base’s location between Kouvola and Lappeenranta.

Later, a complaint from a private individual further postponed the construction in Southeast Finland. The service area for the Southeast Finland medical helicopter will cover an extensive region along the southern coast and the eastern border, from the capital region to southern Lake Saimaa.