Finnair prepares for growth in its long-haul traffic starting in 2016 and begins the biggest recruitment drive in the company’s history.

In addition to the approximately 70 pilots and 130 cabin attendants recruited this year, the company is seeking to recruit 100 new pilots and 300 new cabin crewmembers.

Some 50 people are also hired to perform customer service tasks and other functions during the spring.

In October, Finnair took delivery of its first A350 XWB aircraft and altogether 19 have been ordered.

The new wide-body aircraft are the engine of Finnair’s growth and add capacity to its long-haul traffic from spring 2016 onwards.

Increasing capacity also increases the need for personnel.

Earlier this year, Finnair stated that growth translates to approximately 1,000 new jobs by 2020.

“We are courageously driving the growth of our business and making recruitments which are significant in scale, not just for Finnair but for Finland,” says Finnair senior vice president human resources Eija Hakakari.

“Due to the nature of the flying personnel’s work and the scale of the recruitment it takes time to organise the selection process and trainings.

“We want to start early, keeping an eye especially on 2017 when our growth intensifies.

“At the same time, starting these recruitments gives us opportunities to grow even more courageously should the market situation allow it.”