Keyless security with ASSA ABLOY at Helsinki Airport

Managing access to and around Helsinki Airport is a complex task. Around 15,000 people work there daily pre-pandemic passenger numbers hovered around 60,000 to 70,000.

Challenges faced

Only authorised people should have access to many areas at an airport. The management of movement — by passengers, staff, and contractors— is critical to Finavia’s mission to deliver an efficient service.

They sought new access solutions to help. Finavia staff and customer safety is paramount. In addition, every new access control device must:

• Facilitate the move to keyless security at the airport, which aims to enhance user convenience.

• Offer compatibility so Finavia can secure all types of openings, from doors and cabinets to fences and cargo.

• Integrate seamlessly with the existing access control system and software used at Helsinki Airport.

• Meet essential requirements for securing such a sensitive site: safety, functionality, durability and usability.

Solution

With Aperio H100 battery-powered handles, all types of airport doors are connected

Partnering with ASSA ABLOY gave Finavia a vast choice of solutions to meet its complex security needs. With Aperio H100 battery-powered handles, all types of airport doors are connected to their access control system.

This Aperio solution with inbuilt RFID capability was easy to install without the cabling that traditional devices require. “We see in real-time who will open the lock and when, and we can modify and grant access rights, remotely,” explains Kari Mäkinen. 

Programmable, secure ID cards

Authorised building users come and go with programmable, secure ID cards. It’s much more convenient than a mechanical key, “The access cards of both Finavia personnel and staff of other companies are easily programmed with necessary access rights,” he adds.

“When employees change, their access is disabled. Or if the card gets lost, it can be completely removed from the system. With mechanical keys, that process is much harder.”

Durability, security of supply, and usability

Multiple compatible ASSA ABLOY solutions are deployed alongside wireless Aperio and CLIQ door devices. Keyless, mobile-operated padlocks secure fencing and cargo. An antimicrobial coating on door handles helps to prevent germ spread and reassures staff. The availability of all these solutions from a single manufacturer helped Finavia to create a unified, integrated system at Helsinki Airport.

“Safety, functionality, durability, security of supply, and usability were the reasons we chose the ASSA ABLOY solution,” said Kari Mäkinen, Senior Access Control Specialist at Helsinki Airport.