HELSINKI: The majority state owned airline reported yesterday that its third quarter net sales increased by 15 per cent to 735 million euros and comparative operating profit by almost 100 per cent to 119 million euros from the corresponding period in 2016. The quarter represented already the 12th consecutive quarter of growing operating profit for the airline. Pekka Vauramo, the chief executive officer at Finnair, believes the solid performance to be a result of the accelerated growth strategy the airline adopted in the first half of last year, as well as well-timed capacity growth and successful network decisions.
“We broke records in the number of passengers, passenger load factors and customer satisfaction. The increase in revenues, nearly 15 per cent, was driven by strong passenger demand. Passenger revenue, ancillary sales, cargo and travel services all grew at double digit-rates,” he highlighted in the interim report. Vauramo pointed out that while passenger volumes grew particularly on routes between Asia and Europe, the comparably sluggish development on domestic routes remains a concern for Finnair.
Finnair on Wednesday also reiterated its commitment to its growth strategy based on traffic between Asia and Europe. Although Asian passengers continue to use Helsinki primarily as a transit point to other destinations in Europe, Finnair highlighted that it has taken note of an up tick in interest in Finland and the Nordics.
The airline will consequently increase its services to Lapland by almost 20 per cent for the upcoming winter season
“Finnair’s future growth and business development will also be backed by about 1,000 new employees and our investments in digital development, which will provide better services and tools for our customers and personnel,” added Vauramo.
