Relax in sauna while flying via Helsinki

via.helsinki

Helsinki on the top of the world

(Warsaw 6.4.2009) - How about relaxing in a sauna or taking a swim in a pool with a view over the landing strip? Or would you rather enjoy a massage while waiting for your Hong Kong flight to board? All this will be possible at the Helsinki-Vantaa international airport where a well-equipped Spa & Sauna department will open later this year. Finnair and Finavia, the company that maintains the Helsinki-Vantaa airport, have a mutual vision for the future in developing the via.Helsinki concept.

Mr. Jukka Hienonen, President and CEO of Finnair Plc and Mr. Samuli Haapasalo, CEO of Finavia, visited Warsaw on April 6 th to share their views regarding the current airline industry crisis and to present their vision and strategies for the future growth of their businesses.

The Helsinki-Vantaa airport has over the years developed into the leading airport in Northern Europe for long-distance traffic. The number of passengers flying via Helsinki has grown rapidly over the past years. In 2008 the number of international transit passengers was 2.2 million, of which almost 1.4 million flew to Asia. The number of passengers flying between Warsaw and Helsinki exceeded in 2008 for the first time 100 000, growing by almost 40 per cent.

“Reasons for this are many, the most important ones being the shortest routes to key Asian destinations and comfortable transit between flights”, Mr. Haapasalo said. “Transit will become even more comfortable later this year with the opening of the new international terminal with a luxurious lounge, spa and sauna.”

The Helsinki-Vantaa airport has for years been ranked as one of the best airports in Europe and indeed the whole the world (IATA). “Compared to competitors, Helsinki can offer the fastest connections between Europe and Asia and a well equipped, cosy and compact airport where gates are close to each other”, Mr. Haapasalo continued.

“The via.helsinki concept is also good for the environment.” Mr. Hienonen stated. “When flying via Helsinki to Asia one travels to the right direction from the start and Finnair’s modern fleet produces up to 20% fewer emissions than older aircraft”, he continued. “Additionally, the Helsinki-Vantaa airport has more landing strips than for example Heathrow airport. This converts into shorter waiting times in the air and reduces fuel consumption and emissions”.

On the subject of the aviation industry, Mr. Hienonen noted that it faces some very serious challenges in terms of a steep decrease in passenger numbers, unpredictable oil prices and sharply falling revenues. “Finnair is not in any way isolated from these developments. However, we have a vision for the future with Helsinki as the key gateway between Europe and Asia and continue to develop our business accordingly”, he stated.

via.helsinki is a joint concept of Finnair and Finavia. The Helsinki-Vantaa airport aims to be the best connection between Europe and Asia.

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Radoslaw Podhorecki tel. +48-601-370 178 or +48 22 657 00 17

Finnair Media Desk tel. +358 9 818 4020 or comms@finnair.com

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