Accessibility is the Air: Assessment of Tampere-Pirkkala Airport

Abstract

This thesis evaluates the accessibility of Tampere-Pirkkala airport in the context of sustainable urban development. The research focuses on the airport’s compliance with key European standards, such as Regulation (EC) 1107/2006 and EN 17210:2021. By using on-site observations and document analysis, the study assesses the accessibility features of Tampere-Pirkkala airport and compares its services with those of other European similarly sized airports. The study finds that although Tampere-Pirkkala fulfils the basic accessibility requirements, the airport does not provide a comprehensive range of accessibility services available at comparable airports for passengers with less visible or complex needs. This gap emphasises the need for a more inclusive approach, especially in the context of regional growth and economic development. Limitations of the thesis include the absence of stakeholder interviews and reliance on publicly available data only. The study recommends introducing passenger feedback for future research to deepen the understanding of the subject. Thus, the thesis concludes that Tampere-Pirkkala airport can significantly contribute to Tampere’s sustainable growth by investing into inclusive and accessible infrastructural improvements.