New LED Runway Lighting System Planned for Tampere-Pirkkala Airport in Summer 2026

(IN SHORT) Finavia will invest €1.1 million in upgrading the approach lighting system at Tampere-Pirkkala Airport during summer 2026. The project will replace the airport’s existing runway approach lighting infrastructure with a new LED-based system designed to improve energy efficiency while maintaining safe airport operations. The renovation will be carried out in three phases without affecting passenger traffic and is scheduled for completion by the end of August 2026. The investment forms part of Finavia’s broader airport modernization and infrastructure maintenance strategy across Finland’s regional airport network.

(PRESS RELEASE) HELSINKI, Finland, 2026-May-13 — /Travel PR News/ — Finavia will invest approximately €1.1 million in the renovation of the approach lighting system at Tampere-Pirkkala Airport during the summer of 2026 as part of its ongoing airport infrastructure modernization and lifecycle management program.

According to Finavia, the renovation work will not disrupt passenger traffic during the construction period.

The project forms part of the company’s broader long-term investment strategy aimed at maintaining critical airport infrastructure despite the financial and operational challenges facing the aviation sector since 2020, including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of Russian airspace.

Mari Nurminen, Manager of Tampere-Pirkkala Airport at Finavia, stated that the modernization of the approach lighting system is an important component of maintaining safe and reliable airport infrastructure. She added that careful project planning will allow the work to proceed without interrupting air traffic operations.

Tampere-Pirkkala Airport is one of Finavia’s shared airports, serving both civil and military aviation operations. In 2025, the airport handled more than 140,000 passengers and recorded a total of 19,355 arriving and departing flights, including scheduled passenger services, charter operations, cargo flights, military aviation, and flight training activities.

The renovation project will be carried out in three phases over approximately three and a half months, beginning in mid-May 2026 and scheduled for completion by the end of August 2026.

The work will focus on replacing the approach lighting system located at the eastern end of the runway. The lighting system helps guide landing aircraft by indicating the precise location and alignment of the runway during approach operations.

The existing system extends approximately 900 meters and includes nearly 50 light masts ranging in height from 0.3 to 13.6 meters due to terrain variations surrounding the airport.

Finavia stated that the new lighting system will use LED technology capable of reducing energy consumption by nearly 80% compared with the current lighting infrastructure.

Environmental considerations were also incorporated into the project planning process. According to the company, existing cables and lighting components will be recycled, while some of the replaced masts may be repurposed for use at other Finavia-operated sites.

The company noted that the project is expected to employ approximately 20 people from local companies. Finavia personnel will also participate directly in certain operational phases of the project, including temporary runway shortening measures required during construction activities.

Finavia highlighted that airport infrastructure projects often require cooperation with external service providers because of the scale and technical complexity of airport operating environments and the regulatory requirements governing aviation infrastructure.

The company additionally referenced several recent investments across its regional airport network. In 2025, Finavia invested €5.5 million in terminal and air traffic area expansion projects at Rovaniemi Airport. In 2024, the company completed a €20 million renovation of air traffic areas at Kuopio Airport. Earlier, in 2023, Finavia invested €2.5 million in apron, taxiway, and runway lighting system upgrades at Kuusamo Airport.

Finavia also reported improving financial performance, noting that its operating profit in 2025 returned to positive territory for the first time since 2019, reaching €7.7 million. Operating profit for the January–March 2026 period totaled €13.6 million compared with €2.6 million during the same period the previous year.

Media contact:

comms@finavia.fi
+358 20 708 2002

SOURCE: Finavia