Regional airline Flybe has signed a codeshare agreement with Finnair.
From September 15, Flybe will offer flights from its Manchester hub to Finnair destinations in Scandinavia and 15 Asian destinations.
The deal will also benefit UK regional airports including Aberdeen, Belfast City, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow and Inverness as Flybe's Finnish partner extends its network throughout the UK.
Paul Simmons, Flybe's chief commercial officer, described the deal is an "exciting development".
He said: "The codeshare is a win-win for both airlines. For Flybe, it furthers our ambition of being a 'one stop to the world' from the UK regions and enables us to outreach to a new and different market, whilst at the same time further facilitating the needs of our leisure and business passengers."
Hannu Sundberg, Finnair's director of commercial partnerships, added: "We are pleased to be able to offer an expanded network of services throughout the UK with our partner Flybe.
"Greater connectivity with these regional centres in the UK enhances the ability of our customers to travel to and conduct business all over the British Isles, while also opening up Finland and Finnair’s extensive Asian network to more UK travellers."
Passengers will be able to earn and redeem Finnair Plus points on any of the Flybe-operated flights that carry Finnair’s AY flight code.
Last week, Flybe announced that it will add six extra weekly flights onto its Manchester to Exeter route this winter (see news, September 5).
Graham Smith
