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Kuopio Air Base (Rissala)

Kuopio Air Base (also Rissala; ICAO EFKU) is an active joint civil-military airfield in Finland, operated by the Finnish Air Force. It has 1 runway (2,800 m). Home to Karelian Air Command, Fighter Squadron 31 (HävLLv 31).

Facility Details

Summary
Operating Country 🇫🇮 Finland
Location🇫🇮 Finland
Status Active
UsageDual
Year built1939
Operating OrganizationFinnish Air Force
Units & aircraft
Karelian Air CommandFighter Squadron 31 (HävLLv 31)
Location & Technical Details
Coordinates63.0086°N, 27.7944°E
Elevation98 m (322 ft)
IATA codeKUO
ICAO codeEFKU
Runways
15/33 · 2,800 m (9,186 ft) · Asphalt

Description

Kuopio Air Base is located in Rissala, Siilinjärvi, 14 kilometres north of Kuopio. The facility was completed in November 1939, and flight operations commenced in May 1940. The Luftwaffe utilized the base between 1942 and 1943. During the Continuation War, the airfield used runways constructed of plywood. A terminal building was established in 1949 and was replaced by a new facility in 1971.

The base is operated by Finavia as a joint-use civil and military airfield. It hosts the Finnish Air Force Karelian Air Command and Fighter Squadron 31 (HävLLv 31).

Infrastructure includes an air traffic control tower and a dedicated lake terminal. The lake terminal, completed in March 2008, is situated 250 metres from the main terminal. This facility connects the base to the Lake Saimaa waterway system, providing access to the Finnish Lakeland and the Gulf of Finland via the Saimaa Canal.

Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and other open sources. Last updated on 13 August 2026. Suggest a change
Latest Data Updates
  1. AUG 132026 Updated Runway designations, surfaces and lengths recorded
  2. JAN 192026 Created Page created: Kuopio Air Base