Located in Vantaa’s Aviapolis, next to Helsinki Airport, the Finnish Aviation Museum is Finland’s leading institution dedicated to aviation heritage. On Thursday 23 October, delegates at the 119th FAI General Conference will visit the museum for a presentation from its Director, Pia Illikainen, followed by buffet dinner, guided museum visit, simulator experience, and engagement with Finnish Aeronautical Association discipline committees. This will also be an opportunity for delegates to discover the major new museum development which will open in 2027.

• FAI General Conference programme

Exterior view of the current Finnish Aviation Museum

Collections and Exhibitions 

The museum’s mission is to preserve, research, and showcase Finnish aviation. Its collection spans civil, military, and general aviation and includes pioneering seaplanes and gliders to jet aircraft. 

Junkers A50 Junior in the exhibition hall

Alongside around 80 aircraft included in the collection are thousands of aviation-related objects, including engines, propellers, instruments, uniforms, and scale models. Its archives also hold approximately 285,000 photographs, historical documents, and an extensive library. 

Convair Metropolitan in the exhibition hall

Two main exhibition halls guide visitors through Finnish civil and military aviation. Guests can also try out flight simulators such as a Draken fighter simulator or book even more immersive experiences with Diamond DA42, Messerschmitt Bf 109 G2, Airbus A320, and Boeing B737 simulators. 

Child using a flight simulator 

In 2024, the museum welcomed over 53,000 visitors – 10% more than in 2023 and an all-time record.

The current exhibitions will remain open through 2026, after which the collection will gradually be prepared for relocation to its new home, in the New Aviation Museum, an exciting new chapter in Finnish aeronautical history. The Finnish Aviation Museum already preserves a rich and diverse history of Finnish aviation, and the New Aviation Museum promises to elevate that legacy into a cutting-edge cultural and educational destination – one that will inspire children and families, young people, industry experts, and professionals, as well as having a remarkable local impact, attracting community and visitors from near and far. 

Aircraft on display inside the exhibition space

ABOUT The New Aviation Museum 

The New Aviation Museum project is a €25 million effort to create a modern, next-generation museum in Aviapolis and is due to open in 2027. Its ambitious vision is to offer an immersive learning experience that unites cultural heritage with innovative exhibitions and flexible event facilities.  

These new facilities will provide improved conditions for exhibitions, immersive storytelling, and dedicated spaces for conservation, workshops, and assembly. The goal is to attract over 100,000 visitors annually, doubling current attendance.  

• Location: next to the current museum as a new attraction in Vantaa’s Aviapolis area 

• Total project budget: €25 million 

• Museum size: 6,300 m² 

• Expected annual visitors: over 100,000 

Illustrated plan for the New Aviation Museum

Project Timeline: 

2024: The Finnish Parliament approved funding for the construction of the New Aviation Museum. 

2025: The project is moving forward with determination. Planning is being carried out by multidisciplinary teams and regular workshops are held. The selection process for the construction contractor, architect, and exhibition designer is also underway. 

2026: Construction begins: the foundations of the new museum will laid, and the building will start to take shape. The process of moving the museum’s collections also begins. 

2027: The relocation of the collections is in full swing. The New Aviation Museum will be completed, and the opening celebrations are already being planned. Welcome to the new, magnificent museum!

Sustainable Development and Travel 

The Finnish Aviation Museum is committed to long-term responsibility and the promotion of sustainable travel. The museum considers environmental, social, and cultural sustainability in all its operations. Its goal is to offer visitors and partners responsible experiences that support both the preservation of cultural heritage and the building of a sustainable future. 

In the spring of 2024, the museum applied for the Good Travel Seal certificate from Green Destinations. The audit took place in June 2025, and the certificate was awarded on 25 June 2025.  

Funding for the new aviation museum

The New Aviation Museum is being completed with funding from the state, the city, and private sources. 
 
Private funding will support the creation of exhibitions and services, the transfer of collections, and storage. The goal is to raise €5 million, and the New Aviation Museum still needs the help of collective funding. For anyone wishing to support the project and fuel the New Aviation Museum’s journey, the link below can be used for donations: 

• Find out more and donate to the New Aviation Museum

Images and text courtesy of the City of Vantaa and the Finnish Aviation Museum.