Snowflakes drift to the ground, and I can feel the cold air on my cheeks as I step out of the plane in Kittilä. During a bit more than one hour, the warm weather and rain in the south of Finland have turned into a winter wonderland of snow and frost.

It is early December, and the air traffic is prepared for Lapland's record season. We can again expect a winter season that breaks previous passenger numbers and flight operations. The wonder, purity, silence, and nature of Lapland, enchant more and more travellers.

Airpro has been preparing for the winter season since May. In a few months, during the summer and autumn, the operations of 100 people grow into operations of 350 people at five Lapland airports, from Kuusamo to Enontekiö. Preparing for the season includes recruiting 250 people in a few months, countless equipment maintenance and transfers, and a vast amount of training.

Airpro's preparation process has been developed for almost 30 years. The first winter season in Lapland kicked off on Finland's Independence Day in the mid-90s in Enontekiö with the arrival of the first British charter flight. Since then, preparing for the winter season and seasonal recruitments have seamlessly been part of Airpro's annual calendar.

Supporting air traffic operations requires skilled professionals and well-prepared processes. Airpro's main task is to ensure that every passenger's travel experience is  smooth, seamless, and safe, and that the traffic runs on schedule.

This winter, a record 16 scheduled airlines operate to Rovaniemi, with direct flights to over 30 major European cities. Similarly, an increasing number of airlines operate to Kittilä, with direct flights to 12 destinations.

In addition to preparing for the season's operations, Airpro is committed to find ways to promote greener aviation. This winter season, for the first time, Airpro has a de-icing unit equipped with modern double-mixing feature in use in Rovaniemi, in addition to Helsinki. The technology can reduce glycol consumption, and thus environmental impact. Sustainability is realized one step at a time, and we are proud of our pioneering work in promoting greener travel. Learn more about double-mixing feature: Winter is Coming: Innovative Deicing Solutions at Airpro - Airpro

We are happy to enable memorable moments for hundreds of thousands of travellers in northern Finland together with other tourism operators. We hope your Lapland experience, whether you are a traveller, service provider, or employee, will be memorable this winter as well.

I wish you a good winter ahead!

Sampo Paukkeri
Managing Director