Pressing an airport emergency button in Finland may lead to compensation claims by Finavia

Pressing an emergency button at a Finnish airport could result in the person responsible facing compensation claims from airport operator Finavia, according to a statement from the company.

Elina Suominen, Finavia’s communications director, said any potential financial compensation would be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

The question arose after Hamburg Airport in Germany was evacuated on Friday when a man apparently accidentally pressed a button opening an emergency exit, German broadcaster NDR reported. The incident forced all flights to halt and the entire terminal to be cleared, with passengers removed from departure gates and planes. The man was taken into police custody.

In a similar scenario at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, the likely consequence would be a fine, said Commissioner Aki Rantahuhta of the Eastern Uusimaa Police Department. He noted that each case would be evaluated individually, but an accidental pressing would likely constitute a false alarm.

The fine amount would depend on the individual’s income, Rantahuhta added.