Ground Movement & A380
Taxi procedures
Taxiing on the apron is always subject to instructions. If you are unsure where to go, please ask for detailed taxi instructions.
Note that the main taxiways have only one letter, e.g. "Y" or "Z", but most taxiways are named with two letters, e.g. "AD" or "AC". Listen carefully to the taxi instructions given by ATC.
Do not cross a runway without a specific clearance from ATC.
Keep the transponder active (squawk mode C) at all times when moving on the runways, taxiways and aprons.
Taxi procedures for departing aircraft
When runway 22R is in use for departure, expect to hold short of runway 22L before you are given clearance to taxi to holding point runway 22R.
By default, ATC will use these holding points:
| Runway | Holding point | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 04L | WZ | ... |
| 04R | ZR, (ZS, ZT) | Aircraft from Apron 8: ZS, ZT |
| 15 | Z, YA | Turboprop aircraft DEP from Z |
| 33 | CN, YN | Aircraft from Apron 4: CN |
| 22L | Y, ZD, ZB | Turboprop/QJet aircraft DEP from Y/ZD |
| 22R | WG, WD | WL may be used for traffic from taxiway S |
Taxi procedures for arriving aircraft
ATC will often use minimum spacing on final approach. It is important to vacate the runway quickly in order to achieve maximum runway capacity and minimize the occurance of go-arounds.
When landing on runway 22L, vacate via ZH or later. Do not vacate via Y, ZD or ZG without prior approval from Helsinki Tower.
When landing on runway 04R/22L or 15/33, contact Helsinki Ground 121.8 after vacating the runway. No handoff will be given.
Taxiway and Stand Limitations
APDC limitations_23_OCT_2026.pdf
WEF 08 AUG 2024: Introduction of stand 404B and stand 407B on Apron 4
Push and Pull Procedure
To mitigate jet blast hazards, ALL aircraft parked at stands S43–S45, S52–S55 and 171-172 are required to pull forward to intermediate holding points AW1 or AE2 after pushback. ATC will determine which intermediate holding point to use depending on the traffic situation.
| 🎧 | FINNAIR 121, START-UP AND PUSH BACK APPROVED, FACING NORTH-WEST. AFTER PUSH BACK TOW FORWARD TO AW1 |
| 👨✈️ | START-UP AND PUSH BACK APPROVED. AFTER PUSHBACK TOW FORWARD TO AW1, FINNAIR 121 |
If the pilot is unable to tow forward after push back, ATC may revert to normal push back procedures without tow instructions.
Code F Operations (A388)
Code F aeroplanes
| Code | ICAO | Aircraft type | Wingspan M |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | A388 | Airbus A380-800 | 79.8 |
| F | A124 | Antonov AN-124-100 | 73.3 |
| F | B748 | Boeing 747-8 | 68.5 |
| F | C5M | Lockheed C-5 Super Galaxy | 67.9 |
| F | B778 | Boeing 777-8/F | 64.9 |
| F | B779 | Boeing 777-9 | 64.9 |
Parking
- Parking will happen primarily on stands W48 and 905A.
- When Remote 8 is not in use for de-icing, Code-F aircraft may also be parked on stand 815 or on intermediate holding point VS1.
- When runway 15/33 is not in use, Code-F aircraft may also be parked on:
- Intermediate holding point Y7 facing nort-west. Taxi in via Runway 15 and YL.
- Intermediate holding point Y8 facing south-east. Taxi out via YL and Runway 33. Runway 22L shall be closed until Code-F aircraft has vacated Runway 15 due to absence of Runway 22L holding point markings on runway 15.
Arriving Code-F aircraft waiting for a parking position may need to absorb delay on an intermediate holding point on Taxiway Z until the parking stand is available. Other traffic may use taxiway AV instead of Z to get around the aircraft.