Statistics Finland’s latest aviation bulletin shows that 1.8 million passengers passed through the country’s commercial airports in March 2026—a 7 percent year-on-year rise that pushes first-quarter traffic to 5.3 million travellers. International traffic led the recovery, growing 8 percent, while domestic segments gained 5 percent. Helsinki-Vantaa retained its dominant share, accounting for 78 percent of all passenger movements and 84 percent of international departures. Regional airports, however, benefited from new point-to-point routes such as Oulu–Riga and Berlin–Kuusamo, reflecting Finavia’s drive to diversify inbound tourism flows. Business-travel demand appears to be back in earnest. Travel-management companies surveyed by Statistics Finland said corporate bookings rose 11 percent quarter-on-quarter, with engineering, clean-tech and gaming firms the most active. Forward bookings suggest a particularly strong June-to-August period, raising concerns over slot availability and hotel compression in the capital region. For global-mobility teams the numbers reinforce two trends. First, Finland’s connectivity is normalising faster than the broader Nordic region, giving HR relocation teams more flight options for assignees. Second, the Entry/Exit System (EES) continues to slow border processing by up to 30 percent during peak hours; employers should brief travellers and allow extra time when transiting Helsinki. Cargo volumes told a different story, falling 7 percent year-to-date, which aviation analysts attribute to modal shifts toward rail and sea freight on Sino-Nordic lanes. While not directly mobility-related, lower belly-hold cargo could make it easier for airlines to assign more passenger-friendly aircraft types on Asian routes.
Source: Statistics Finland
