Airports
Campaigners Push To Reopen Helsinki's Malmi Airport
Helsinki city officials want to build housing on the historic site and nature reserve
Helsinki's Malmi Airport
Flight activity was shutdown at Helsinki's Malmi Airport in 2021, but campaigners want it to reopen as part of plans to preserve a nature reserve. © Friends of Malmi Airport Association

Aviation and nature advocates have joined forces to press for the reopening of Helsinki’s Malmi Airport (EFHF), which was abruptly closed by Finnish authorities via a Notam issued in 2021. The issue is coming to a head during campaigning for municipal elections to be held in Finland’s capital in April, with city officials pressing to build housing on the historic airport site, removing any prospect of reopening.

According to the Friends of Malmi Airport Association, there is a viable case for resuming flight operations at the airport, which opened in 1936, for general and business aviation, with potentially some regional airline services. Campaigners would also like to see the site used as a hub for sustainable aerospace technology, including work to develop electric aircraft.