newstodate.aero

Dec 02, 2019 (newstodate): Finland enjoys a geographical advantage in air traffic between Northern Europe and Northern Asia - and is successful in exploiting potentials.
    Helsinki has had direct air traffic with both China and Japan for more than 30 years, and traffic volumes are steadily growing.
   -In 2019, we have seen three Chinese airlines opening traffic at Helsinki Airport, and one carrier, Juneyao Airlines has even turned Helsinki Airport into a mini-hub with connecting flights to three European destinations, says Petri Vuori, Finavia VP, Route Development.
   -Due to the complicated slot situation at Shanghai, Juneyao faced long hours at Helsinki between landings from Shanghai early morning and departure late afternoon. The idea was therefore to seek a better utilization of the capacity by operating flights during idle day time from Helsinki to other European destinations to test new markets.
   -We of course hope that Juneyao will retain their daily flights at Helsinki Airport also in summer 2020, even if some of these new markets mature to warrant opening of direct flights bypassing Helsinki, also supported by a growing regional market for Juneyao's operations as they get better known here.
   -Air services between Finland and China are supported by very favourable conditions in the form of the air services agreement between the two parties including 5th Freedom Rights. This is indeed another main asset securing us with a strong position adding to our geographical advantage, says Mr Vuori.
   With the first flight on April 8, 2018, Tibet Airlines has been offering two weekly rotations to Finland, Tibet Airlines' first intercontinental route.
   Juneyao Airlines started flights from Shanghai from June 28, 2019, reducing frequency during the winter schedule from daily to three weekly rotations from October 14, 2019.
   The third Chinese airline operating at Helsinki Airport with the first flight on September 16, 2019, Sichuan airlines maintains it twice-weekly service during the winter schedule on the triangular service Chengdu-Helsinki-Copenhagen-Helsinki Chengdu.
   Sichuan Airlines launched flights on the route to Copenhagen on December 10, 2018, before adding Helsinki as an intermediate stop.