Finland showcases new airport terminal, complete with spa and saunas

HELSINKI - Finland, the land of Santa and saunas, Thursday showcased its new airport terminal here, equipped with a luxurious spa, well-being services and a modern, well-appointed lounge as its main attractions.

“The Via Spa environment will be unique in the airport world,” said Kari Stolbow, the director for Indian subcontinent with the Nordic country’s flag carrier Finnair, ahead of Friday’s grand opening of the terminal at the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport.

“The spa has a fir sauna from the Alps, a stone sauna, a steam sauna and Finnish saunas from where there is a spectacular view over a mineral water pool to the airport taxiway and the apron,” Stolbow explained to IANS.

“I do hope visitors from India can avail of the facilities, even if they are in transit through Helsinki.”

Apart from separate saunas, the spa also has special rooms for express treatments, in addition to the more leisurely services. It also offers foot treatments to give that much-needed relief after flights and a mineral water pool for health baths.

The new lounge, Via Lounge, will be open to Finnair Plus and top-tier members and business class customers free of charge and to other customers for a fee.

It has room for around 250 customers and services include six private shower rooms, a diverse buffet, a bar and relaxation areas.

Access to Via Spa is free for Finnair Plus platinum cardholders, while others can use it for a fee.

“All of the spa’s products are made of pure, organic ingredients,” said Markku Remes, Finnair’s customer experience development manager.

“The special services include short treatments designed especially for transit passengers, as well as a cold water paddling pool and a mineral water pool to alleviate travel fatigue,” Remes added.

The new terminal has been built by airport operator Finavia with support from Finnair, which marked its 85th anniversary last year.

Officials of the two Finnish firms said the new extended airport terminal has the capacity to handle 15-16 million passengers and 13.5 million pieces of luggage per annum. The luggage handling system is over 10-km long with a top capacity of 7,500 bags per hour.