VIP President of Helsinki Airport ready for EU Presidency

Helsinki Airport’s VIP President hosting venue will be in much use as representatives from EU nations will visit Finland more frequently during the country’s Presidency period, said a press release of Finavia, the company operates country´s airports.

The arrangements for this require tight cooperation from the VIP coordinators as well as from other members of airport staff.

Finland’s EU Presidency period started in July and will last until the end of the year. The Airport has prepared for the EU Presidency period especially in the VIP President hosting venue, located in connection with the business flights terminal.

“Finland’s EU Presidency period has a big effect on our work. July is usually a quieter month, but now we are preparing for a large number of state representatives arriving on scheduled flights and private planes – even every five minutes on busiest days,” said Pasi Laurinen, Commercial Manager of Helsinki Airport’s lounge and VIP services.

High-ranking guests can use their own parking spaces for private planes as well as the VIP President terminal area.

Trained, multilingual VIP coordinators will pick up the guests directly from the airplane, escort them to the VIP President area and take care of all airport formalities on the guests’ behalf. Guests can use the VIP service when arriving as well as departing.

There are 15 VIP coordinators at Helsinki Airport during the EU Presidency period, which is twice as many compared to usual circumstances. During meetings and summits, there are also a number of government’s EU liaison officers present.

“VIP visits usually have very tight schedules without big ceremonies at the airport. Most often, the guests continue their journey to Helsinki city centre, with police escort if needed,” he said.

Although the VIP terminal is busy during Finland’s EU Presidency, it will not impact on the normal movement of the passengers as the VIP terminal is separate from the passenger terminals, and so its usage will not cause overcrowding or delays in other terminals.