British Airways today announced its link up with Finnair, the latest step in its plans to develop a comprehensive European-wide alliance. The joint British Airways/Finnair agreement will increase the choice and quality of service offered to customers.

Bob Ayling, British Airways’ Chief Executive, said: “With this new alliance in Scandinavia and Finland, coupled with the alliances in Germany, France and Poland which we have already established, we’ll offer a genuinely seamless service right across Europe that will be renowned for its excellence. Our strategy of building a comprehensive European network will provide growth and profitability for the airline as a whole into the 21st Century. Finnair is a fine airline, which offers excellent customer service. It is an ideal partner.”

The British Airways/Finnair alliance will deliver enhanced service as well as new opportunities to earn and redeem miles for the frequent flyers of each airline. In addition, it will offer more seat capacity, a better schedule and improved choice for all passengers.

The agreement comprises code-sharing on a total of 15 return flights a day between London and Helsinki as well as Stockholm, effective from March 1998. British Airways and Finnair will continue to compete on the London - Helsinki route. From May, an additional codeshare flight will be included on the Finnair service between Manchester, Stockholm and Helsinki. Connecting passengers will enjoy improved transfer opportunities between many cities in the Nordic region and Southern Europe, the Americas as well as Africa.

Antii Potila, Finnair’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are proud to be associated with such an excellent airline as British Airways. Finnair’s business environment has changed fundamentally during the last few years. In order to stay competitive we feel it is important to offer our customers the services of a global network.

Mr Potila added: “We are happy to announce Finnair and British Airways have agreed to start an extensive co-operation that will offer our passengers new benefits and strengthen both companies’ position in the market. We look forward to creating a strong and successful alliance with British Airways while we both also continue to co-operate with other airlines in specific markets.”

——-