Niclas Köhler Appointed CEO of AVIA Real Estate as Finavia Takes Full Ownership
(IN SHORT) Finavia has appointed Niclas Köhler, its CFO, as the new CEO of AVIA Real Estate, following the airline’s acquisition of 100% ownership in the company. Köhler will transition to his new role by the end of April 2025, taking over from Ilkka Pitkänen, who is stepping down to pursue new opportunities. Finavia also announced the appointment of Hannu Karru as interim CFO, with Karru reporting directly to Finavia’s CEO. Köhler’s extensive financial expertise is expected to play a key role in integrating AVIA Real Estate into Finavia’s broader operations and strategies.
(PRESS RELEASE) VANTAA, 2025-Apr-25 — /Travel PR News/ — Finavia Group has announced that its Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Niclas Köhler, will become the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AVIA Real Estate, a property investment and development company situated near Helsinki Airport. This leadership change follows Finavia’s decision to increase its stake in AVIA Real Estate from 49% to 100% in January 2025.
Köhler, who has served as Finavia’s CFO and a member of the Executive Group since August 2017, will transition to his new role by the end of April 2025. His appointment marks a pivotal moment for AVIA Real Estate as it enters a new phase under Finavia’s full ownership.
Ilkka Pitkänen, the current CEO of AVIA Real Estate, will be stepping down from his role to pursue new opportunities outside of the company. Pitkänen has led AVIA Real Estate since 2021 and made significant contributions to its development.
Finavia has initiated the search for Köhler’s successor as CFO and has appointed Hannu Karru as interim CFO. Karru, who has served as Finavia’s Director of Internal Accounting and Finance since 2018, will assume his new role reporting directly to Finavia’s CEO, Kimmo Mäki.
Köhler’s responsibilities at Finavia have extended beyond financial management to include overseeing information management and procurement. From May 1, 2025, IT Director Leyla Akgez-Laakso and Chief Procurement Officer Tuomas Pitkänen will report directly to Finavia’s CEO, Kimmo Mäki.
Kimmo Mäki, Finavia’s CEO, commented, “Niclas Köhler’s in-depth financial expertise has been instrumental in the success of Finavia’s large-scale investment program for Helsinki Airport between 2013 and 2023. Moving forward, his leadership will be crucial in managing and integrating AVIA Real Estate into Finavia’s broader strategy. We are confident that Niclas will drive AVIA Real Estate to new heights.”
Mäki also expressed his appreciation for Pitkänen’s work, stating, “We extend our sincere thanks to Ilkka Pitkänen for his outstanding leadership at AVIA Real Estate and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
More information: Finavia media desk, tel. +358 20 708 2002
SOURCE: Finavia Group
