Finnair Flights from Mumbai

Finland’s national carrier, Finnair, on Thursday announced the launch of its flights from Mumbai, starting June 17. The airline, which has had a tri-weekly service on the Delhi-Helsinki route since April last year, is scheduled to launch its Mumbai operations with a five-weekly service to the Finnish capital.

With the government freezing fresh slots for airlines at Mumbai and Delhi airports for the summer schedule—in a bid to curtail airspace congestion—-the airline is rejoicing the plum morning slots it has managed to get for Mumbai.


“Indian airports are so crowded right now, we are glad we got the slots. We knew that if we didn’t grab the slots right now, there would be absolutely no slots for the next two-three years at least,” said Taina Törnström, Director, Indian subcontinent, Finnair. The airline has bagged an 8.15 am slot for departure to Helsinki from Mumbai, from Monday through Friday. “We are so happy about the slots,” said Törnström, who has been negotiating with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) since January.

Commencing the Delhi flight, where the average load factor is a promising 80 per cent, is already paying off: “In 2005, we had 25,000 overnights from India. In 2006, the number was 40,000, which is an increase of 45 per cent,” said Sven Hansen, Regional Manager, Finnish Tourist Board. And to convert the average time Indians spend in Finland—from three nights now, to five night—-the Scandinavian country is laying special emphasis on Indian cuisine, and has organised training for chefs in hotels and for onboard catering.

An Airbus 340 aircraft, with 30 seats in the business class and 265 in economy will be utilised for the eight-hour flight from Mumbai to the land of the midnight sun.