NOTAMs impose summer taxiway restrictions at Helsinki-Vantaa—operators warned of longer ground times

Finland’s Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) today issued a series of trigger NOTAMs and AIP Supplements (refs A1155/26 and 036/2026) announcing temporary closures and reroutings of multiple taxiways at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport from 18 May to 21 August 2026. The works—part of a €55 million pavement-rehabilitation programme—coincide with the peak holiday season and the first full summer since the airport exceeded pre-pandemic passenger volumes. Key high-speed exits on Runway 22R/04L are alternatingly closed, and the inner Bravo taxiway is restricted to Code C aircraft only during night-time possessions. Wide-body operators must expect back-taxi procedures when landing on 15/33, adding two to four minutes of runway occupancy according to Fintraffic ANS modelling. Business-jet handlers tell Global Mobility News that early-morning slot requests have already been capped, forcing some corporate flights to reposition to Tampere or Turku. For travellers the most visible impact is likely to be at the gate. Finavia estimates that average taxi-in times during the morning arrival peak could lengthen by up to six minutes, pushing tight Schengen-to-non-Schengen connections. The airport has reinstated its ‘hot transfer’ escort service for premium passengers and is urging airlines to close boarding 35 minutes before departure rather than the usual 30. Cargo and tech-stop traffic are also affected. Wide-body freighters must use remote stands 208–210 and may face nighttime engine-start restrictions to keep noise within environmental limits. Logistics managers moving high-value electronics via Helsinki are advised to notify insurers of potential schedule variance. Finavia emphasises that the project is essential to extend pavement life by a decade and to prepare for the heavier aircraft expected on new transpolar routes. All works are scheduled to conclude before the 22 August deadline in order to avoid clashes with the autumn business-travel surge and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) audit set for September.