For Javier Roig, Finnair's outgoing Director for France and Southern Europe, Finnair demonstrates an uncommon vitality and resilience. " We have been through a number of crises over the last decade. Covid, of course, but the worst was the closure of Russian airspace to European airlines as a result of Russia's war with Ukraine. This event forced us to totally rethink our strategy, since we have lost the advantage of offering the shortest flights between Europe and Asia" he reminds us.
In fact, Finnair flights to North-East Asia have lasted up to three hours longer since the airspace over Russia was closed.
Finnair has therefore developed " that we would never have thought of ten years ago" underlines Javier Roig. Among the avenues being pursued by the company are the leasing of long-haul aircraft and personnel - from Qatar Airways and Qantas, for example, a concentration of supply in Asiain particular with the abandonment of most routes to Chinaa flight densification from Helsinki to the Mediterranean, but also Europe to Lapland.
" The French market is Europe's leading market for Lapland" underlines Matti Anttonen, Finnish Ambassador to France. With over 90,000 visitors in the first 8 months of 2024, French travellers accounted for 12.2% of all arrivals in Lapland. Finland recorded more than 353,000 French travellers over the same period.
" That's why we insist on being the only company in Finland to serve the whole country. This guarantees flights all year round, bookable up to 365 days before departure.. With our four daily frequencies from Paris CDG to Helsinki, passengers have permanent access to our domestic network. Including at least 8 daily flights in winter to Rovaniemi." says Javier Roig. Finnair serves 5 destinations in Finnish Lapland as well as Tromsø in Norway.
More flights to Dallas and Japan in summer 2025
The 2025 summer schedule is already taking shape, with more flights to the United States and also to Japan.. Finnair flies to 4 American destinations, with seasonal flights to Miami in winter and Seattle in summer. In 2025, the carrier will double its frequencies to Dallas-Fort Worth. " CThis is the hub of our partner American Airlines and we will be increasing the number of weekly flights from 6 to 11 this winter." says Javier Roig.
Finnair to offer 25 weekly flights to Japan instead of 10 this winter. In particular, with more flights to Osaka and the reopening of Nagoya. This intercontinental expansion will be made possible by the delivery of an 18th Airbus A350-900 in 2025.
In the end, this strategic reconfiguration paid off. Between January and September this year, the company carried 8.8 million passengers. This represents an increase of 4.6% compared with the previous year. More importantly, Finnair expected to post another profit for the second year running. According to CEO Turkka Kuusisto, it will be in the region of 120 to 187 million euros. At the end of September, operating profit had already reached almost 103 million euros.
