newstodate.aero
Nov 13, 2015 (newstodate): Expected growth in Finnair's long-haul traffic, focusing on Asian destinations, calls for an increase in the carrier's narrow-body fleet.
In 2016, Finnair will have over two mio passengers on the Asian routes, making Helsinki Airport Europe's #5 in this segment, after only London, Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam - and 30 percent of the carrier's passengers will be transferring at Helsinki.
To provide for the connection between Asian and European traffic, Finnair will thus need more and larger narrow-body aircraft, and plans are to downsize its Embraer fleet currently comprising 14 aircraft, and retire one of 12 ATR aircraft.
Initially, the necessary capacity will be found by leasing two Airbus A321 aircraft on a one-year contract starting from May 2016 onward.
Finnair is also preparing to acquire permanent additional narrow-body capacity, and it is assessing the best alternatives for growth.
Finnair has already begun recruiting both pilots and cabin crew.
In 2016, Finnair will have over two mio passengers on the Asian routes, making Helsinki Airport Europe's #5 in this segment, after only London, Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam - and 30 percent of the carrier's passengers will be transferring at Helsinki.
To provide for the connection between Asian and European traffic, Finnair will thus need more and larger narrow-body aircraft, and plans are to downsize its Embraer fleet currently comprising 14 aircraft, and retire one of 12 ATR aircraft.
Initially, the necessary capacity will be found by leasing two Airbus A321 aircraft on a one-year contract starting from May 2016 onward.
Finnair is also preparing to acquire permanent additional narrow-body capacity, and it is assessing the best alternatives for growth.
Finnair has already begun recruiting both pilots and cabin crew.