Finavia anticipates busy autumn travel season at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport

Finavia, the operator of Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, anticipates a busy autumn travel season, with around 28,000 departing passengers expected daily. Including arrivals, the airport will see over 50,000 travelers each day. According to the Finnish National Agency for Education, school autumn breaks fall during weeks 42 and 43, starting on October 14 in Helsinki and a week later in Oulu.

The highest number of departing passengers is projected for the current week (week 41), specifically peaking on Friday, October 11, and Saturday, October 12. This surge in traffic will continue into the following week, as the official autumn breaks commence.

Finavia advises passengers to be aware of peak travel times at the airport, which are typically between 5 AM to 8 AM and 2 PM to 6 PM. It is recommended that autumn travelers review baggage and liquid packing guidelines at home, especially since previous congestion in September led to delays due to a surge in luggage containing liquids exceeding the new limits. Many passengers missed their flights during this period, and technical issues further exacerbated congestion at the beginning of October.

Currently, travelers can carry liquid containers up to 100 milliliters each, with a combined limit of two liters per passenger. These do not need to be removed from bags at security checkpoints. Additionally, power banks and flammable items should be packed in carry-on luggage.

To help manage security wait times, Finavia is piloting a prediction system available on its website. The company recommends that travelers adhere to their airlines’ guidelines on how early to arrive at the airport before their flights.