DHL Express opens €100M Helsinki gateway at Vantaa Airport

DHL Express Finland has inaugurated its new logistics gateway at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL), marking the company’s largest investment in the country to date. Valued at approximately €100 million, the state-of-the-art facility is designed to accelerate parcel processing, enhance sustainability, and strengthen Finland’s role in international trade.

Spanning 16,000 gross square meters, the gateway more than doubles DHL Express’s existing operational footprint in the region. The terminal is equipped with an advanced automated sorting system capable of handling up to 6,500 parcels per hour, ensuring faster and more efficient processing. Complementing this are 90 direct loading bays, each fitted with electric vehicle charging points, which enable seamless transfer of shipments from conveyor systems to delivery vehicles.

The facility is directly connected to the airport apron, cutting loading and unloading times for aircraft. It is also secured with TAPA A certification and advanced X-ray scanning equipment, underlining DHL’s focus on compliance and safety in air freight handling. The first customer deliveries from the site are scheduled for October 2025.

Sustainability lies at the core of the Helsinki Gateway. DHL has committed to operating the facility as carbon neutral, with geothermal heating, solar panels, LED lighting, and energy-efficient building materials forming part of its strategy. These measures align with DHL’s global target of achieving zero emissions by 2050.

“This gateway enables more efficient and environmentally friendly operations while supporting Finnish businesses to access global markets,” said Oktay Nuri, Managing Director at DHL Express Finland. Echoing this sentiment, Mike Parra, CEO of DHL Express Europe, emphasized the investment as a reflection of DHL’s confidence in the Finnish and European economy.

For over four decades, DHL Express has provided international door-to-door express services in Finland. The new gateway reinforces its commitment to speed, reliability, and innovation in a competitive global logistics landscape.