DECEMBER - JANUARYAEROSPACEDEFENSEREVIEW.COM8NAVIGATING CHALLENGES IN AIRFIELD MAINTENANCEBy Pyry Pennanen, Head of Airfield Maintenance, FinaviaProfessional BackgroundI am currently the Head of Airfield Maintenance at Finavia for Helsinki Airport, where I oversee the overall management of the Airfield Maintenance department. My responsibilities encompass resource planning, budgeting, safety management, fleet and workshop operations, airfield operations, and infrastructure repairs and maintenance.During the winter season, our team consists of about 140 employees, with 80 of them being seasonal workers, making human resource management a significant aspect of my role. I have been in this position for nearly seven years, and before this, I worked in operations and maintenance related to baggage handling systems and logistics.Significant Challenges in Airfield Maintenance OperationsOne of the biggest challenges we face is climate change. During winter at Helsinki Airport, temperatures can fluctuate dramatically, ranging from +10°C to -30°C. The most difficult times for airfield maintenance occur when temperatures hover around the freezing point. Last winter, we dealt with these conditions for a total of 74 days. Unfortunately, climate change is likely to exacerbate this phenomenon.This struggle with harsh winter conditions is a key reason why the Finnish "snowhow" is so renowned. Navigating these challenges has made us at Finavia exceptionally skilled at what we do. I take great pride in the professionalism of our Pyry PennanenIn My Opinion
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