HELSINKI – Finnair has taking the wrapping off a long-term plan that focuses on developing Europe-Asia services with an additional goal of growing North America-Asia services by positioning Helsinki Vantaa as a key connecting hub.
“In years to come, the airspace and terminal facilities of large European airports are likely to become increasingly congested while Helsinki-Vantaa Airport has plenty of room for construction and possibilities for development,” said president and CEO Jukka Hienonen.
Finnair said total annual passengers carried are expected to rise from nine million currently to more than 20 million by 2017.
“If the demand in air traffic continues to increase, within 10 years we expect to carry well over three million passengers annually in our intercontinental traffic between Europe, Asia and North America,” Hienonen said.
“We will take advantage of Helsinki’s geographical location even more extensively.”
He said the airline’s immediate focus will be on Europe-Asia growth, adding that the most “interesting future cooperation candidates are to be found among the Asian oneworld airline partners”.
