Dubai and Phuket added to Finnair’s Winter Schedule

Good news for winter sun seekers, as Finnish flag carrier, Finnair, has announced an expanded flight schedule to destinations for the start of the Winter season. Flights to Phuket, as well as  Dubai, will commence on 2 November this year –  initially on a weekly basis, but expanding to a daily service by January.

The announcement expands Finnair’s already impressive list of destinations in Asia, with flights to India, Japan, Korea, China, and Qatar.

Dubai’s world famous skyline, pristine beaches, and numerous luxurious family friendly attractions, will be a big draw for families looking to escape the winter blues. Dubai’s close proximity to the rest of the UAE, notably Abu Dhabi, but also the rest of the Middle East, Southern Asia, and North Africa mean that travellers have the pick of destination in the region.

Phuket has been popular for generations, its vibrant night life and warm beaches are world famous. Much like Dubai, it can act as a stepping stone to further parts of South East Asia, with Vietnam, Singapore, the Philippines and China within a few hours flight.

Changing Environment

The news comes on the heels of an announcement of Malaysia Air’s decision to cut 20% of flights across Asia. -noticeably in areas where Finnair are already operating. With the future of Malaysia Air’s future looking increasingly  uncertain, is this the opportune time for Finnair to expand further into the Asian market?

Flights will be available from both Helsinki and London, with Economy prices between London and Dubai starting at £493 to Dubai and £776 to Phuket return – including charges and taxes.

Who are Finnair?

Formed in 1923 as Aero by Bruno Lucander and spent its early predominantly flying between Finland and Estonia. It was initially acquired by the Finnish Armed Forces during the Winter War between 1939 and 1940. At the end of World War Two, the Finish Government bought a majority stake in the company, remaining them officially to Finnair, aiming to expand its destinations outside of Finland and Estonia.

By 1963, the company had entered the Jet Age by flying French made, Pratt and Whitney powered, Caravelles planes, and by the end of the decade were flying routes to New York in Douglas DC-8s.

They were the first European carrier to fly non-stop between Europe and Asia – specifically Helsinki to Tokyo  – in 1983. It had opened a direct route between Helsinki and Beijing in 1989, becoming the first western airline to do so.

In recent years, however it has been more challenging – during the Covid-19 pandemic, Finnair only carried around 3 million customers worldwide, By 2022 their routes were restricted further when Russian restricted its own airspace to international flights as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in that year.

So the announcement of new destinations and the new routes that has opened -not to mention possibility of a worsening economic performance of a competitor – could not have come at a better time.