Major contract secured by SSP Finland

SSP News Release 3-January-2008

SSP wins competitive tender at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport’s domestic terminal, and announces plans to open a number of additional bars and cafes at Helsinki Vantaa’s international terminal.

 

SSP has beaten a number of rivals to retain a major contract at the domestic terminal of Helsinki- Vantaa Airport. The company will operate four airside and landside units, including a restaurant a cafe and bars. Commenting on the win, Kalle Ruuskanen, Managing Director of SSP Finland said: ‘This deal will further strengthen our strategic position in the Nordic region. We are particularly delighted to have won the business, as we faced tough competition from both local and international operators.’

 

SSP is also scheduled to open three new outlets, at the International Terminal. This will take the total number of units operated by SSP to 23. A bar called Wine & View will serve a wide and interesting range of wines from all the continents (including a varying selection of 1,000 of the world’s greatest wines). These were personally selected by Juha Lihtonen, Nordic Sommelier Champion of 2003 and editor of both European Fine Wine magazine and Scandinavian Fine Wine magazine, who will also oversee staff selection and training at the bar. Wine and View will also offer a range of light snacks including tapas, antipastos, cheeses, breakfast platters and cakes.

 

With its distinctive lighting, the homely Coffee Spoon cafe will be a memorable land-mark within the terminal. Finns are Europe’s biggest consumers of ice-cream, and a selection of ices is a key feature of the menu at this landside outlet.

 

Cafe Alvar, scheduled to open this summer, will be located airside in an area that is currently unused. Inspired by the work of the leading Finnish designer and architect Alvar Aalto, it has been designed in conjunction with Finnish design company Artek and homeware specialist Iittala. It will showcase Finnish know-how in design, food and service, and provide a relaxing retreat for passengers in one of the busiest areas of the terminal.

 

‘We identified a need for greater choice and better levels of service for passengers at Helsinki, and highlighted a number of new locations where commercial opportunities were not being maximised,’ continued Kalle Ruuskanen. ‘These new facilities will significantly improve the experience of travellers in Finland, and each of our outlets will reflect the very best of Finnish culture.’