15.000 signatures in the Petition to Save Malmi Airport

4 February 2004

The Petition to Save Historic Helsinki-Malmi Airport has now been signed by 15.000 Finns. The signatures have been mostly collected on the Internet. The Petition for Finnish citizens as well as an International Petition are open for more signatures on the web page http://www.pelastamalmi.org and in restaurant Hopealintu at Malmi Airport.

The historic, living airport at Malmi in Helsinki has been selected to the global List of 100 Most Endangered Sites 2004. After 67 years of continuous operation, the lively Airport is the oldest operating civilian airport in Finland, by far the most important aviation education center in the country, and the sole general aviation airfield in the capital region. The National Board of Antiquities has defined it as a site of national importance. As a living whole, Helsinki-Malmi is an exceptionally authentic example of a 1930's international airport. The Airport is threatened by being closed down and turned into a suburb.

The Friends of Malmi Airport Society, founded on 23 March 2002, aims to secure the Airport's future at its present location and to develop, promote and support its operation.