Can small airports ever be profitable?

This paper discusses the future of small airports that struggle with profitability. According to international studies, profitable operations require up to 1 million passengers per year. The paper showcases the situation at small airports in Finland, from hundreds of thousands to only tens of thousands of passengers per year. The airport company Finavia operates a total of 20 airports throughout Finland. Finnish airports can be divided into three categories: growing, stable and decreasing, based on their current situation. The paper discusses the global and local trends affecting profitability, cost structures and future possibilities for small airports.