🔵 EFRO - Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi Airport holds the record of being the third busiest airport in Finland and the official airport of Santa Claus 🎅🏻. It is situated just 10 kilometers north of Rovaniemi city center and about 8 kilometers from Santa Claus Village at the Arctic Circle, making it a famous destination, especially during the holiday season.

Managed by Finavia, the airport serves as a crucial link between Lapland and the rest of the world, handling both domestic and international flights. The airport saw over half a million passengers in 2019, indicating its significant role in Finland's air transport.

Rovaniemi Airport's location presents unique challenges and opportunities in air traffic control due to its proximity to the Arctic Circle. It handles a diverse array of air traffic, including commercial, general aviation, private, and seasonal charter flights as well as medical helicopter service. It is equipped with a single runway, yet it efficiently manages the volume of air traffic.

ATC positions

Rovaniemi is a controlled airport with aerodrome control- and approach control service. This service can be combined (tower-radar), or separate. Rovaniemi Delivery and Arrival positions are opened only when necessary due high traffic levels.

Ground layout

• Main apron is located south of the runway next to taxiways B and H
• General aviation aircraft can park on the main apron General Aviation Parking Area
• Medical helicopter base is located at Q

Military apron is located north of runway 03/21

Runways

Rovaniemi is equipped with one runway 03/21. The preferred runway is considered to be runway 03 for departures and runway 21 for arrivals.

Civil aviation must use runway 21 as the primary landing runway at night 2000-0500 UTC (1900-0400 UTC).

Take-offs from the runway intersections can be performed upon the pilot's request the traffic situation permitting.

Currently available stands

Stand restrictions and push back

When stand 5B is occupied by a code F aeroplane, stands 3 to 5 and 13 to 15 shall be clear of traffic.

Code E and F aeroplanes

Push back procedures

En-route clearance

Please, do not include the SID in your flight plan route.

By default the local tower controller will give clearance to requested cruise flight level.

Departure with SID:

Departure with direct route:

Approach

Please, do not include the STAR in your flight plan route.

Runway 21 is the only runway with an ILS approach system. This makes runway 21 the preferred runway during Low Visibility Operations.

• ILS Z approach is used for RNAV capable aircraft
• ILS Y approach is used for non-RNAV aircraft (based on VOR navigation)

When approaching runway 03, pilots may expect to be cleared for RNP approach.

Arriving aircraft may be cleared for the approach already on initial contact with the local controller. Please be ready to copy any clearance and instructions.

Phraseology example:

• On initial contact with approach control, please include the following:
  • Call sign
  • Current flight level
  • Assigned flight level
  • Aircraft type (and wake turbulence category if necessary)
  • Received ATIS broadcast
  • Other restrictions given by previous controller

Operations in Low Visibility Conditions

Runways 03 and 21 are approved for Low Visibility Procedures for Take-offs (LVPTO).

• LVPTO is used when the RVR value is 550 M or less.

Runway 21 is approved for ILS CAT II approaches. The approach procedure has the following minimas OCA (H):

• Category A: 688 (79)
• Category B: 699 (90)
• Category C: 712 (103)
• Category D: 727 (118)

There is also LPV approaches available for both runways (Lateral Precision with Vertical Guidance Approach). See the RNP approach charts for more information.

LVP initiation

Low Visibility Procedures for all air traffic will become effective when the RVR value decreases to 550 M.

Medical helicopter

Note! The base of medical helicopter is located at the airport. The call sign of the medical helicopter is “Finnhems”.

General information

Medical helicopter pilot shall select transponder code 0004 prior to contacting Rovaniemi Tower.

FATO located within ATC service boundary. Take-off and landing clearance required.

Nearest hospitals

• EFLR - Lapin keskussairaala
  • EFLR is inside IFR approach funnel
  • Not operational UFN. Ambulance transport from FIH base to hospital

Tango 03 and Tango 21

T03/T21 is a defined area on taxiway T between taxiway P and main apron border (picture below).

• FinnHEMS will take-off and land from/to T03 or T21 according to wind direction
• FinnHEMS hangar is located at Apron next to Q

Departure from EFRO base

• Air taxi to T03 or T21
• Clear heliport PC take-off from T03 or T21
• Initial climb in runway direction H025 or H205

Arrival to EFRO base

• Final approach in runway direction H025 or H205
• Aimpoint T03 or T21 according to wind direction
• Clear heliport PC1 landing to T03 or T21
• Landing clearance includes permission to taxi via Q to base, pilot will report on ground