Helsinki Airport hosted a large-scale crisis management exercise named SAR2026 to simulate a major aviation accident within the airport atmosphere. The comprehensive drill, which took place between 09:00 and 15:00, was designed to satisfy strict emergency alertness regulations instructed by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Finavia, the Finnish airport operator, organized the drill to extensively evaluate and sharpen the readiness, rapid-response capabilities, and tactical communication systems of all participating entities when managing a catastrophic airfield emergency.

      A total of 14 separate Finnish agencies and key aviation stakeholders actively participated in the high-stakes simulation, emphasizing a unified national response. The cooperative drill involved airport operator Finavia, major regional and national carriers including Finnair, Norra, and Norwegian, as well as air traffic control managers Fin traffic. Vital emergency and investigative support were provided by the Central Uusimaa Rescue Department, Eastern Uusimaa Police, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Finnish Border Guard. On the medical and humanitarian front, teams from the Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), the Vantaa-Kerava wellbeing services county’s emergency medical, social, and crisis services, the Finnish Red Cross, and Finnish Customs all mobilized to manage simulated mass fatalities and survivor support.

      Despite the heavy presence of emergency response vehicles, specialized personnel, and simulated rescue operations scattered across designated areas of the airport, Helsinki Airport maintained entirely uninterrupted routine operations. Finavia ensured that the drill had absolutely zero impact on commercial air traffic, allowing all scheduled flights to land and depart normally throughout the day. While the public experienced no delays or practical inconveniences inside the terminals, airport officials proactively requested that travellers and locals avoid any unnecessary movement or sightseeing near the boundary to guarantee a safe, controlled atmosphere for the emergency staffs involved.