Kuusamo’s Air Traffic Reached a Record in 2022

In 2022, Kuusamo Airport was the only airport in Finland to surpass its previous record.

Published 19 January, 2023

A total of 117,104 passengers passed through Kuusamo Airport in 2022. The previous record was set in 2019, when the airport served 114,003 passengers.

Most of the growth came from international air travelers. Behind the increase is determined cooperation to develop international tour operator charter flights and Lufthansa’s scheduled routes, supported by the project "Rethinking North – Year-Round Tourism as a Key to Success". Kuusamo’s stunning nature, combined with its high‑quality and diverse range of services, continues to attract both new and returning international visitors year after year. Positive feedback from satisfied customers is one of the most effective tools in sales and marketing.

The number of domestic air travelers – as well as international travelers arriving in Kuusamo via Helsinki Airport – has recovered well from the pandemic years, but domestic tourism is not currently running at record pace. Domestic travelers, however, still make up the largest visitor group in Ruka-Kuusamo, and most of them arrive by car.

– Our goal is to reach 185,000 air passengers in Kuusamo by 2026. The measures we have taken to achieve this long‑term goal have clearly been effective and well aligned, and the target is still within reach*, says Mats Lindfors, CEO of Ruka–Kuusamo Tourism Association.

Winter 2022-2023 is Looking Strong – but Not Record‑Breaking

Based on current estimates, overnight stays from last winter will fall short by approximately 5–10%. Overall, the winter season looks good, but reaching record levels appears unlikely.

– The main reason for this is, in our assessment, the lower level of domestic demand. The weakened general economic situation is currently limiting domestic travel interest*, Lindfors explains.

– From a domestic traveler’s perspective, Ruka–Kuusamo still offers an appealing and experiential range of products – with plenty of snow‑filled fun for the whole family. Overall, we have been seeking growth from international markets, and this growth is now materializing, which is of course extremely encouraging.

Ruka-Kuusamo’s International Tourism Development Receives Project Funding

The Ruka-Kuusamo region is currently implementing the project Rethinking North – Year-Round Tourism as a Key to Success, which aims to increase international awareness and tourism demand in the area, particularly during the snow-free seasons. The project focuses on developing sustainable and responsible tourism, improving accessibility, and creating new products tailored to international target groups.