Finland's oldest plane to resume flights in June

About 80-year-old DC-3 aircraft OH-LCH will fly again from Helsinki Airport this summer after a long break, said Finavia, the company operates country´s airports on Friday.

It has been seen at Helsinki Airport since the inception of the airport.

The former Aero (currently Finnair) DC-3 aircraft, owned by Airveteran Oy and operated by the DC Association is currently the oldest passenger aircraft in Finland that is still in use.

“We want to support this valuable and historic activity. In order to enable the DC-3 to fly from Helsinki Airport in the airport’s current, modern form, we have made numerous special arrangements. This rare opportunity arose due to the airport being quieter than usual due to COVID-19,” said Jani Elasmaa, Finavia’s Vice President responsible for Helsinki Airport’s runway and apron operations.

The aircraft has been used not only by Finnair but the Finnish Defence Forces as well. The first planes to land at Helsinki Airport in 1952, Lokki and Tiira, were the same type of aircraft. Next year, it will be 70 years since the airport was opened.

“This DC-3 is part of Finnish aviation history and has museum value. There are not many of these left in the world anymore. This particular aircraft has operated from Helsinki Airport since the airport was established,” Elasmaa said.

Its last scheduled Finnair flight was in 1967. Last time it flew from Helsinki Airport was 20 years ago.

The COVID-19 situation permitting, the association's first flight this summer will be flown at the beginning of June.

“It is great to be able to fly from Helsinki Airport again,” said Petri Petäys, Chairman of the Board of the DC Association.

The aircraft will be transferred to Helsinki Airport on Sunday from Finavia's Vaasa Airport hangar.

The aim is to fly 40 member flights during the summer with the 19-seat aircraft.

The association also operates charity flights, including those to delight the young patients of the Children's Hospital. At the moment, these flights have been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The flights are a fantastic experience for the young patients, and likewise for us, who get to join in the flight as pilots, pursers and mechanics,” said Ahti Pohjonen, Secretary and Board Member of the DC Association.

The DC Association complies with the EASA health safety protocol on its flights. All pilots in the Association are professional airline pilots.

“Our vision is to keep this aircraft flying a hundred years. That is the first milestone.”