Finland maintains ultra-modern infrastructure
In recent years enormous investments have been made in Finland's infrastructure. From expanding the Helsinki Airport to a new cargo harbour to expanded fibre optic networks, Helsinki offers one of the world's best infrastructures.
Helsinki boasts one of the world's best infrastructures. Transport by vehicle, rail, aircraft and ship is easy and efficient. The technology infrastructure, as measured by fibre optic cables or wireless connectivity is one of the best in Europe. Office space is increasing and much cheaper than many locations in Western Europe.
Efficient road and rail networks are used by a large industry of freight forwarders and trucking companies. The well-functioning transportation system, combined with the fact that Finland uses the same rail gauge as Russia, makes Finland an excellent transhipment point for Russian trade.
The Helsinki Airport is within a nine hour flight from both New York and Beijing, placing it in the perfect transit point for East - West traffic.
Almost the entire population has access to fibre optic networks. Virtually every commercial space in Helsinki has broadband connections. Wireless communication is also very advanced, with 3G data and phone use very high. The telecommunications environment is one of the most advanced in Europe.
Construction of commercial office space in Helsinki has increased rapidly. Although demand is increasing, rents remain lower than the European average. New centres are being placed in a number of locations.
To maintain a long term reliable source of energy, Finland was the first nation in Europe to begin constructing a nuclear power plant in recent years. Plans are underway to continue to expand the use of nuclear power.
Helsinki Airport is the best gateway between Europe and Asia
Finnair is taking advantage of the excellent aviation infrastructure available at the Helsinki Airport. The company decided there was no need to resign itself as being a simple regional carrier. It instead seized the opportunity to use the excellent location and facilities of the airport to remake itself as the key to Asia.
Although the geographical location of Helsinki is a huge asset for trade and travel between Europe and Asia, one great advantage is the facilities available for air travel and transport. This has allowed Finnair to seize the excellent opportunity to act as the carrier of choice between the East and West.
"The location of Helsinki is a big plus, since we are the closest European capital to Asia.", said Jukka Hienonen, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Finnair. "But the airport itself is also a big asset. So many European airports are congested and have limited growth potential. We have a good opportunity to grow as we have the airspace and the land. The only bottleneck is the terminal capacity and that is under construction at the moment."
The airport is investing around €143 million in expanding the international terminal and adding a new baggage handling centre. The new extension will add 39,000 square meters to the complex and is expected to be completed in the autumn of 2009. More parking, office space and a new hotel are also being constructed.
"People don't know that we are bigger in Japan or mainland China than British Airways.", continued Jukka Hienonen. "We have been named the most popular European airline in a Japanese travel magazine for three consecutive years. We met our goal of a 33% increase in Asian traffic in 2007; in 2008 it will be closer to 20%."