New tech to make security control quicker at Helsinki Airport

Finnish airports operator Finavia will introduce next generation technology at Helsinki Airport to make security control quicker and easier.

All flights will be centralised in one terminal, and the current Terminals 1 and 2 will become a thing of the past, said Finavia in a press release on Tuesday.

“Opening of the new, advanced security control and transferring all flights under one roof are an important part of our service reform,” said Henri Hansson, Senior Vice President, Airport Infrastructure, Sustainability, Safety, Security & Compliance at Finavia.

As part of the Helsinki Airport development programme, Finavia has acquired state-of-the-art technology for the airport's new security control. Thanks to the new scanning and liquid analysis equipment, passengers will no longer have to remove from their hand baggage electronics and bags containing liquids.

“The new security control technology at Helsinki Airport means that laptops, phones or large SLR cameras, for example, no longer need to be taken out of carry-on bags or hand baggage. The plastic bags, in which containers of less than a hundred millilitres of liquid must be packed, can also remain inside hand baggage,” Hansson said.

Doubling the capacity will speed up the service at security control, as will the new automated lines. The new spacious premises of the security control enable passengers to take the time they need to prepare and pack their luggage.

Old equipment will remain in use simultaneously at Helsinki Airport, which means that electronics and bags containing liquids have to be taken out of the bag on some lines. However, this is a transitional phase only and Finavia's staff, security officers and signs will help passengers to do the right thing.

This type of new security control technology is currently in use only at major European airports and in the United States. As passengers may encounter different security control procedures at the various stages of their journey, they should be prepared and follow airport-specific instructions closely.

“We will centralise the check-in and baggage services for all flights under the stunning wooden ceiling of the new terminal extension, opened last December. Travel will become easy and smooth. Passengers will no longer need to think about which terminal they will depart from or arrive at. This will also make things easier for people picking up or dropping off passengers,” said Ulla Lettijeff, Senior Vice President, Helsinki Airport and Executive Director at Finavia.

The transition to the new premises will take place in two phases during the spring and summer. In the first phase, from 21 March to 23 May, airlines now operating from Terminal 2, including Finnair, Air Baltic and British Airways, will transfer to the new departures hall of the extension.

“On 24 May, we will open a direct passage from the security control to the renewed gate area. A spacious departure gate area with new shops and a café will open up for passengers. The distance from the terminal’s main door to the nearest departure gate is just under 200 metres, which is quite short compared to many other airports around the world,” Lettijeff said.

The second phase will begin on 1 June, as airlines including Norwegian, Lufthansa and SAS, currently operating from Terminal 1, will relocate to the new departure and arrival halls. By 30 June at the latest, Helsinki Airport will adopt the single terminal operating model in full. The check-in area, security control and baggage drop in Terminal 1 will be closed.

During the transition period, passengers are requested to follow Finavia's information updates and check the travel instructions on the website before arriving at the airport.