Redevelopment of Pajala Airport provides new opportunities

The foreign terminal at Pajala Airport will be rebuilt and updated to accommodate more passengers. This will provide a boost to the tourism industry throughout eastern Norrbotten.

Currently, Pajala Airport is mainly served by scheduled flights between Pajala and Luleå and charter flights from the UK during the winter, but also by private aircraft, ambulance flights, taxi flights and helicopters. The airport's runway already has the capacity to accommodate larger aircraft during the winter, but the terminal building is currently not adapted for this. After the reconstruction, the terminal will also meet the safety requirements for international passenger traffic.

– The renovation is fully in line with the regional development strategy. It is a long-term investment that contributes to sustainable development in Pajala. This development requires, among other things, good communications so that the tourism industry and business can continue to develop, says Tomas Vedestig (sjvp), chairman of the Regional Development Committee.

A large part of the international tourists who visit Tornedalen today are forced to travel via Kiruna or Kittilä in Finland and then take a car or bus to Pajala. Interest in developing the airport has existed for a long time and even before construction started, local entrepreneurs in the tourism industry have managed to secure a letter of intent with the airline Brussels Airlines, which will operate Pajala Airport during the coming winter seasons.

– This means great development opportunities for the tourism industry and business in Pajala and this in turn contributes to better living conditions in eastern Norrbotten. We also see that there is great interest in Tornedalen, as we have already managed to secure interest from international airlines, says Nils-Olof Lindfors (C), regional councilor.

Pajala Municipality, which owns and operates Pajala Airport, is investing SEK 3 and Region Norrbotten is providing SEK 400. The total budget for the reconstruction is SEK 000. The new terminal will be ready to receive new passengers as early as the winter season 6/990.

- In order to create a more attractive municipality and provide better conditions for the tourism industry, the expansion of a foreign affairs hall at Pajala Airport is of utmost importance to us. Living in Tornedalen and being able to get out into Sweden and the world should be as easy and obvious as living in a city, and good communications are important. That is why we are extremely happy today that Region Norrbotten also sees the importance of good communications in eastern Norrbotten and Pajala and is helping to finance the foreign affairs hall at Pajala Airport, says Ulrica Hammarström (S), Municipal Councillor for Pajala Municipality.

Want to know more?

Welcome to contact:
Nils-Olov Lindfors, Regional Councilor (c)
Telephone number: 070-380 00 44

Tomas Vedestig, Chairman of the Regional Development Committee (sjvp)
Telephone number: 076-773 72 72

Ulrica Hammarström, Municipal Councilor Pajala Municipality (s)
Telephone number: 076-773 72 72