Finnair is looking to double its total passenger traffic by 2020.
Speaking to Business Traveller Asia-Pacific at ITB Asia 2015, the airline’s country sales manager Nick Naung Naung said this will be accomplished by an aggressive fleet renewal programme as well as a focus in the growing Asian travel market.
“We have just launched our brand new A350 aircraft to Beijing, with Shanghai and Fukuoka to follow soon,” said Naung Naung. “We’re also looking to do the same for Hong Kong and Singapore so there’s a clear focus in Asia”.
The introduction of the A350 into its fleet has enabled Finnair to gradually replace its ageing A340 aircraft. The A340 is a known gas guzzler, and according to Mari Rouvi, Finnair’s communication manager, burned 25 per cent more fuel than the A350.
Finnair’s ambitious growth plans are complemented by the expansion plans at Helsinki Airport. Currently able to accommodate some 16 million travellers annually, the addition of more contact gates and aerobridges will see this figure jump to 20 million.
As a country, Finland is also looking to boost tourism by launching a stopover programme for connecting travellers. Due to begin early next year, the programme will give inbound travellers the option of stopping over in Finland for a flexible timeframe before flying off again.
“Connecting travellers may spend up to five days in Finland, and the stopover will not cause their [air]fares to be priced differently at all, “said Anne Relander, marketing manager at Visit Helsinki.
For more information, visit finnair.com
Clement Huang
