Press Release
Finnair now connects Edinburgh with Helsinki and Asia
Award-winning airline begins new three-times-weekly service
Passengers from Scotland now able to take the shortcut to Asia via Helsinki
Award-winning airline begins new three-times-weekly service
Passengers from Scotland now able to take the shortcut to Asia via Helsinki
For further information and images please contact Paul Charles / Philip Allport / Gordon Smith / Katie Moine / Alana Fogarty
+44 (0)20 7792 8884
finnair@verypcc.com
Finnair has celebrated its inaugural flight between Edinburgh and Helsinki. The journey – which takes less than three hours – allows passengers from Scotland to take the shortcut to Asia with just one smooth and fast transfer via the Finnish capital. A traditional water cannon salute and Scottish bagpiper welcomed the aircraft as it landed in Edinburgh.
Finnair now operates three flights a week between the two capitals using a 138-seat Airbus A319 aircraft in a dual business and economy class configuration. To offer summer travellers even greater flexibility when flying with Finnair, five weekly flights will operate between 22nd June and 10th August 2016.
The launch allows Finnair passengers from Edinburgh to travel in comfort and style to Hong Kong in just 13 hours and 15 minutes, Beijing in only 14 hours and 5 minutes, and Seoul in 14 hours and 30 minutes. Helsinki Airport has grown into a major transfer hub for Europe to Asia travel, with Finnair offering 77 weekly flights to 17 Asian destinations from Helsinki Airport in summer 2016.
Among those attending the inaugural festivities was Fredrik Charpentier, Finnair Area Vice President EMEA who said: “We are delighted to bring our award-winning Finnair product to Scotland. Passengers value our exceptional Nordic on board hospitality and the quick and convenient transfers through our Helsinki hub. With the arrival of our new longhaul Airbus A350 aircraft, onward passengers can experience the latest in technology and comfort while travelling to Asia’s top leisure and business destinations.”
Also present was Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport who said: “This direct new route between Edinburgh and Helsinki is fantastic news - it is further confirmation of Edinburgh Airport’s position as a leader for connectivity from Scotland to Finland and onwards to the expanding markets of Asia. I congratulate Finnair for recognising the growing international demand for direct links to Edinburgh, and this move shows that they have similar aspirations for growth as we do.”
Finnair, named Northern Europe’s Best Airline for the sixth year running by Skytrax, is the European launch customer for the next-generation Airbus A350 XWB. The completely new aircraft type substantially raises the bar for passenger comfort, environmental performance and operational efficiency.
Finnair passengers travelling onwards to Asia also have the opportunity to select a wide variety of activities and tours in Finland thanks to Finnair’s new Stopover Finland programme. With Finland’s capital just half an hour from Helsinki Airport, Stopover customers can enjoy Helsinki’s refreshing seaside atmosphere, design district, world-class restaurants and even experience a traditional Finnish sauna between flights. For fans of the great outdoors, untouched nature is never far away, with Stopover passengers able to spend a day cruising through the Finnish archipelago or exploring one of Finland's many national parks as part of the programme.
The new Edinburgh service joins London Heathrow, Manchester and Dublin as Finnair gateways in the UK and Ireland.
Fares:
Fly Finnair from Edinburgh to Helsinki from £162 return including all taxes and charges.
Economy return fares to Asia from Edinburgh via Helsinki with Finnair:
Beijing: £450 Seoul: £500
Bangkok: £470 Hong Kong: £500
Shanghai: £485 Tokyo: £675
Monday and Thursday:
Departs Helsinki 08:30 and arrives in Edinburgh at 09:10
Departs Edinburgh 09:50 and arrives in Helsinki at 14:40
Tuesday: (21st June – 9th August only)
Departs Helsinki 08:30 and arrives in Edinburgh at 09:10
Departs Edinburgh 09:50 and arrives in Helsinki at 14:40
Wednesday: (22nd June – 10th August only)
Departs Helsinki 17:20 and arrives in Edinburgh at 18:00
Departs Edinburgh 18:40 and arrives in Helsinki at 23:30
Sunday:
Departs Helsinki 16:30 and arrives in Edinburgh at 17:10
Departs Edinburgh 18:15 and arrives in Helsinki at 23:05
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:
For more information please visit www.finnair.com
About Finnair:
Finnair flies between Asia, Europe and North America with an emphasis on fast connections via Helsinki, carrying more than ten million passengers annually and connecting 17 cities in Asia with more than 60 destinations in Europe. The airline, a pioneer in sustainable flying, is the European launch customer of the next-generation, eco-smart Airbus A350 XWB aircraft and is the first airline listed in the Leadership Index of the worldwide Carbon Disclosure Project. The only Nordic carrier with a 4-star Skytrax ranking, Finnair has also won the World Airline Award for Best Airline Northern Europe for the past six years running. Finnair is a member of oneworld, the alliance of the world's leading airlines committed to providing the highest level of service and convenience to frequent international travellers.