For tour operators selling Finland and Lapland, the key question is where additional seats will become available.
The closure of Russian airspace has reshaped Finnair’s long-haul business. In an interview with aeroTELEGRAPH, Jan Pellinen, responsible for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, explains how the airline is adapting. Alongside changes to its long-haul network, renewing the European fleet is an important part of its strategy.
Finnair intends to increase capacity primarily on routes it already serves, rather than focus on adding destinations. Its fleet plans include new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft alongside used Airbus A320s and A321s.
For tour operators, the distinction matters: additional seats do not automatically mean more departure times or new departure airports. The practical benefit will depend on which routes receive larger aircraft and when.
Pellinen also highlights demand for travel to Finland and Lapland, with Helsinki remaining the airline’s central connecting hub.
For Benelux tour operators, the next step is to follow the detailed seasonal schedules for departures from their markets and onward connections within Finland. The broader fleet strategy alone does not confirm additional capacity on individual routes.
More on Finnair.
Header: © Finnair