Currently, the Vantaa airport area generates over three percent of Finland’s entire Gross Domestic Product, writes Pekka Timonen, the mayor of Vantaa, in his blog.
According to a global trend, more activities are concentrating around airports. In Finland too, it is visible that companies want to locate in the best logistical places. As the capital region grows, Vantaa is developing into the central point of the entire area, both demographically and logistically. Therefore, it is not insignificant how Vantaa, as Finland’s logistics capital, develops.
Vantaa’s Aviapolis is the second largest employment hub in Finland, where our country’s competitiveness and innovation are promoted every day. As a leading area of job growth, it is also the best springboard for start-up companies. The European competition for investments and new innovations requires modern networks and a new smart operational environment. Thus, strengthening Finland’s accessibility requires funding and participation from the EU as well, to maintain our position and improve our competitiveness.
Currently, the Vantaa airport area generates over three percent of Finland’s entire GDP, so the importance of Aviapolis cannot be underestimated. Today, the area has about 37,000 jobs, 1,500 companies, and 20,000 residents. And the outlook for ten years ahead is fascinating. In 2030s, Aviapolis is envisioned to be one of Vantaa’s main centers: a home for 30,000 Vantaa residents and a workplace for up to 50,000 people.
I see it as important that EU funding programs support the development of sustainable urban transport, and we also want to be involved in the preparation of EU programs related to transport development. The deficit in metropolitan area transportation infrastructure funding must be corrected by increasing state funding shares in nationally significant projects and by better utilizing EU funding.
The European Union must also be strongly involved in the development and promotion of sustainable aviation, new fuels, and the electrification of air travel. Aviapolis’s goal is to be Europe’s most environmentally friendly airport city in the future. However, this change requires investments, innovations, and international cooperation, in which we want to be involved. Good flight connections from Finland to the world and the urban rail link to the Helsinki-Vantaa airport are vital from the perspective of Finland’s security, security of supply, and competitiveness.
This article was translated by AI and revised by a person. The original Finnish Article can be read here
