Vaasa Airport

Vaasa Airport (Finnish: Vaasan lentoasema, Swedish: Vasa flygplats) (IATA: VAA, ICAO: EFVA) is located in Vaasa, Finland, about 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) south-east of Vaasa city centre. As of 2024, it is the 7th busiest airport in Finland with 177,592 passengers.^[1]

Vaasa Airport Vaasan lentoasema Vasa flygplats
IATA: VAA ICAO: EFVA
Summary
Airport type	Public
Operator	Finavia
Location	Vaasa, Finland
Opened	1938 (1938)
Elevation AMSL	6 m / 21 ft
Coordinates	63°02′43″N 021°45′51″E
Website	www.finavia.fi/airports/vaasa
Map
VAA Location within Finland
Runways
Direction Length Surface m ft 16/34 2,500 8,202 Asphalt
Statistics (2024)
Passengers 177,592[1] Landings 4,301[2]
Source: AIP Finland[3]

History

The airport was opened in 1938 when Aero began passenger traffic, which was later interrupted by the war.^[4] In 1945 the airport building was completed and passenger routes were reopened.^[4]

The airport took its current shape in the 1950s, when the runway was extended to 1,800 metres and the airport building was expanded.^[4] In 1951 Vaasa Airport got its first international connection as Veljekset Karhumäki opened a route to Sundsvall in Sweden.^[4] In 1971 the runway was extended to 2,000 metres and Finnair began jet traffic with DC-9 aircraft.^[4]

In 1993 the third and most significant expansion at the airport was completed, with the airport getting separate facilities for domestic and international traffic and with a significant improvement of the airport's services.^[4] In 1998 Vaasa Airport took a step towards more international aviation, as the runway was extended to 2,500 metres in October.^[4] In 2014 the terminal's renovation was completed: a new baggage claim hall, security control rearrangement, another café and a new store.^[4]

In 2005,^[5] 2008,^[6] and once again in 2017^[7] Vaasa Airport was chosen as the Airport of the Year in Finland.

The remains of the decommissioned 11/29 1,500m asphalt runway exist towards the south-west of the aerodrome.^[8]

In June 2024, Vaasa Airport hosted the Vaasa Airshow, marking 40 years since the previous airshow.^[9]

Airlines and destinations

The following airlines operate regular scheduled and charter flights to and from Vaasa:

Airlines	Destinations
Finnair	Helsinki,[10][11] Umeå (starting March 29, 2026)[12]
Scandinavian Airlines	Stockholm–Arlanda[13][14]
Sunclass Airlines	Seasonal charter: Gran Canaria[15]

Vaasa Airport check-in area

Vaasa Airport traffic control tower

Statistics

Annual passenger statistics for Vaasa Airport ^[1]

Year	Domestic passengers	International passengers	Total passengers	Change
2000	227,523	98,851	326,374	+4.2%
2001	216,409	95,651	312,060	−4.4%
2002	194,651	74,466	269,117	−13.8%
2003	169,088	79,836	248,924	−7.5%
2004	166,836	94,480	261,316	+5.0%
2005	178,378	118,886	297,264	+13.8%
2006	195,045	111,106	306,151	+3.0%
2007	213,833	108,095	321,928	+5.3%
2008	234,447	108,948	343,395	+6.7%
2009	207,274	86,983	294,257	−14.3%
2010	194,102	94,040	288,142	−2.1%
2011	226,931	111,568	338,499	+18.0%
2012	218,742	155,399	374,141	+10.5% .
2013	185,562	133,753	319,315	-14.7%
2014	184,316	141,570	325,886	+2.1%
2015	162,864	119,573	282,437	-13.3%
2016	173,541	114,979	288,520	+2.2%
2017	162,333	137,785	300,118	+4.0%
2018	166,195	149,705	315,900	+5.3%
2019	165,125	138,786	303,911	-3.8%
2020	35,303	24,409	59,712	-80.4%
2021	16,648	2,583	19,231	-67.8%
2022	89,532	23,712	113,244	+488.9%
2023	103,306	50,475	153,781	+35.8%
2024	99,389	78,203	177,592	+15.5%

Ground transportation

Means of transport at Vaasa Airport
Means of transport	Operator	Routes	Destinations	Website	Notes
Bus	Lifti	4, 44	4: to Gerby via Market Square (Finnish: Kauppatori, Swedish: Salutorget) 44: to the Market Square via Melaniemi (Finnish: Kauppatori, Swedish: Salutorget)	www.vaasa.fi	At least every hour on weekdays between 6:00 and 21:00
Taxi	Taksi Vaasa-Vasa	Taxi	Vaasa	www.taksivaasa.fi

See also

• List of the largest airports in the Nordic countries