Finavia has completed a €1.1 million renovation of the air traffic area at Tampere-Pirkkala Airport in Finland, including the replacement of a critical approach lighting system.
The construction work was completed on schedule without interruptions to scheduled passenger flights.
The main focus of the project was the 900-metre approach lighting system located at the eastern end of the airport’s runway, which helps pilots identify the runway’s position and alignment during approaches in darkness and poor weather conditions.
50 Approach Light Masts Replaced
The renovated system consists of 50 light masts ranging from 0.3 to 13.6 metres in height.
Finavia also replaced approximately 12 kilometres of electrical cables and installed 136 energy-efficient high- and low-intensity lighting units containing a total of 182 individual light sources.
“Renovations of approach lighting systems are important for ensuring continued safe and smooth operations,” said Mari Nurminen, Airport Manager of Tampere-Pirkkala Airport at Finavia.
“Lighting system renovations are major construction projects, as there are numerous light masts spread over a large area, parts of which are difficult to access.”
Approximately 24,300 square metres of airport surfaces were also asphalted or repaved as part of the project.
Approach Lights Critical During Low Visibility
Approach lighting systems are particularly important when pilots are landing in darkness, rain, snow or other low-visibility conditions.
Finavia carries out much of the planning for its air traffic area renovation projects using its own specialists.
Design requirements are based on standards and regulations from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom, alongside the operational requirements of each airport.
Factors including terrain, buildings, trees, potential flight obstacles and future land use must be considered when determining the position, height, intensity and backup arrangements of the lighting system.
“High operational reliability and resilience to disruptions are also key priorities in all planning and construction activities,” Nurminen said.
Old Lighting Equipment and Cables Recycled
Finavia said the project generated work for approximately 20 people from local companies outside the airport operator itself.
Materials removed during construction were also reused or recycled.
Old lighting units and electrical cables were sent for recycling, while some of the removed light masts will be reused at other Finavia locations.
Tampere-Pirkkala Passenger Traffic Up 3.6%
Tampere-Pirkkala is one of four Finavia airports shared by military and civilian aviation.
The airport handled just over 140,000 passengers in 2025.
During the first six months of 2026, passenger numbers reached 66,505, an increase of 3.6% compared with the same period a year earlier.
Scheduled connectivity is also set to increase later this year.
Finnair plans to resume daily scheduled flights between Helsinki Airport and Tampere-Pirkkala in October 2026. Air Baltic also operates services from Tampere to Malaga and Riga.
