Press release 5 December 2024
Free for publication
Helsinki, 5 December 2024 – The Court of Appeal has rejected the claims of the Malmi Airfield Association in the matter of termination of the airport lease agreement. The Airfield Association was established in September 2016 to continue the airfield’s operations after the state-owned Finavia withdrew from the airport. However, the City of Helsinki forced the association to suspend operations in March 2021 by terminating the land lease agreement.
The decision has no impact on the activities of the Friends of Malmi Airport Association. FoMA was founded in 2002 and continues its work to achieve its goals. Its backbone is the unwavering support of the people of Helsinki and the will to make democracy work in Helsinki. Based on professional opinion surveys, the majority of Helsinki residents have always been and still are of the opinion that continuing aviation operations at Helsinki-Malmi Airport would be the best solution. The City of Helsinki has been acting on this issue blatantly against the will of the city residents for about twenty years.
The airfield has been saved from certain destruction before
Thanks to the work of FoMA, the field was saved from certain destruction in 2006 by a decision of the Supreme Administrative Court. In 2009, the status of Malmi Airport on the list of nationally significant cultural environments (RKY) maintained by the Finnish National Board of Antiquities was clarified to apply unambiguously to the entire airport area including the runways.
About the current state of the area
The built cultural environment of national significance including the runway area and the significant natural values are still there. According to the legally valid local detailed plan, the runway area is still an air traffic area, and the airport is only temporarily closed. It can still be quickly reopened for aviation use, which would best ensure the preservation of the area’s numerous significant values.
Natural and cultural values first
Malmi Airport is not only of cultural and historical value, but also a unique urban nature oasis, the capital’s largest valuable meadow and an important bird area. The airport’s extensive green areas are significant for a diverse ecosystem and for the recreation of city residents. Helsinki-Malmi Airport could be an internationally interesting example of how a traditional airport can combine modern aviation, cultural history and ecologically sustainable development.
Looking to the future
The only runways in the entire greater Helsinki region that operate on a free schedule are in Malmi. They will have an important role in the future as part of the capital’s transport connections.
The Friends of Malmi Airport Association will continue its active advocacy work, including in the spring 2025 municipal elections. The association believes that through cooperation and creative solutions, the vitality, diverse values and unique transport services of Helsinki-Malmi Airport can be preserved for future generations. The area has a lot of potential for development and additional construction, even as aviation operations continue.
More information:
Håkan Lövdahl
chairman@malmiairport.fi
Friends of Malmi Airport Association
Links:
malmiairport.fi/en/natural-values
malmiairport.fi/en/heritage
malmiairport.fi/en/infrastructure