Finnair continues to grow its Asian traffic, and has announced it will add capacity and frequencies to the Tokyo and Hong Kong routes with the A350 for the summer 2017 season. Finnair will increase its current flight schedule between Helsinki and Tokyo with four additional weekly flights to Narita airport. Finnair currently operates daily to Narita with the A330.

Finnair has signed an agreement with ViaSat, a global broadband services and technology company, to install a high-speed wireless internet network on its entire Airbus A320 series short-haul fleet flying in Europe. The installation of the Wi-Fi equipment will begin in May 2017, and will be completed by June 2018. With a connection speed of 12 Mbps or higher per passenger, the new system will offer the fastest in-flight internet connection currently available on the market, which will also enable the use of increasingly popular video streaming services.

Japan’s ministry of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism has granted an extension of the anti-trust immunity to include Iberia in the joint business between Japan Airlines, British Airways and Finnair. The decision will allow the four airlines to cooperate commercially on flights between Europe and Japan. Iberia is expected to join the existing joint business between the other three airlines as from October 18th, 2016.

Finnair has celebrated its inaugural flight between Edinburgh and Helsinki. The journey – which takes less than three hours – allows passengers from Scotland to take the shortcut to Asia with just one smooth and fast transfer via the Finnish capital. A traditional water cannon salute and Scottish bagpiper welcomed the aircraft as it landed in Edinburgh.

Finnair has announced the launch of additional flights to key northern Finland winter destinations, Kittilä, Kuusamo and Ivalo, for the winter season 2016-2017. Kittilä, Kuusamo and Ivalo attract thousands of tourists every year, offering a range of winter activities from ice fishing, hunting the Aurora Borealis and skiing to husky safaris and reindeer sleigh rides.

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.