Tag Archives: Finnair

Finnair resumes flights to Tartu

Finnair will resume flights to Tartu, Estonia, from 2 June 2024. Finnair suspended flights to Tartu for a month so that an approach solution that doesn’t require a GPS signal could be introduced at Tartu airport.

The approach methods previously used at Tartu airport were based on GPS signals. As a result, GPS interference in the area has sometimes prevented aircraft from approaching and landing at the airport. This led Finnair to suspend flights between Helsinki and Tartu from 29 April to 31 May.

During May, the approach methods used at Tartu Airport have been updated so that some of the approaches can be used without a GPS signal. These renewed approach methods are based on radio signals sent from ground stations. These types of ground-based methods have been in use in aviation for a long time, and GPS interference does not affect their usability. Similar traditional approach methods are still in use at some airports as an alternative to GPS-based approach methods.

Finnair flies to Tartu twice a day, six days per week, and flights are operated by Finnair’s partner Norra with ATR aircraft.

Nordic Regional Airline AB, Norra, operates many domestic and European routes for Finnair. The company previously operated under the name Flybe Finland Oy.

GPS interference has increased clearly since 2022, but it has not impacted the safe operation of flights. Finnair’s aircraft systems detect GPS interference, and the aircraft has other navigation systems that can be used when GPS interference occurs. Finnair and Norra pilots are also well aware of GPS interference and know how to prepare for it.

Top Copyright Photo: Finnair (Norra-Nordic Regional Airlines) ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-500) OH-ATL (msn 851) ARN (Stefan Sjogren). Image: 950980.

Video:

Norra aircraft photo gallery:

Finnair suspends flights to Tartu for a month

Finnair will suspend its daily flights to Tartu, Estonia, from April 29 to May 31, so that an alternative approach solution that doesn’t require a GPS signal can be put in place at Tartu Airport.

The approach methods currently used at Tartu Airport are based on a GPS signal. GPS interference, which is quite common in the area, affects the usability of this approach method and can therefore prevent the aircraft from approaching and landing. Last week, two Finnair flights had to divert back to Helsinki after GPS interference prevented the approach to Tartu.

Finnair suspends its flights to Tartu for one month, during which time the aim is to build approach methods at Tartu Airport that enable a safe and smooth operation of flights without a GPS signal.

Customers who have booked flights between Helsinki and Tartu on 29.4.-31.5. will receive a cancellation message from Finnair and will be given more information of their options by text message and/or email.

Finnair is the only airline operating international flights to Tartu.

Finnair aircraft photo gallery:

Finnair adds weekly frequencies to Japan and Dallas/Fort Worth; opens a new route to Kirkenes, Norway

Finnair has updated its schedule for summer 2025.

In Japan, Finnair will add frequencies to Tokyo Narita, offering thus daily flights to both Tokyo Haneda and Tokyo Narita in summer 2025. Additionally, Nagoya will get a third weekly frequency.

Finnair also introduces a new destination in Northern Norway, the town of Kirkenes, starting in summer season 2025. Finnair will fly to Kirkenes from Helsinki via Ivalo three times a week, operated with a 68-seater ATR aircraft. The new route serves Finnish and international travelers looking to explore both Finnish Lapland and Northern Norway and experience, for example, the famous Hurtigruten cruise that sails to and from Kirkenes.

In the Baltics, Finnair will add frequencies to Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius for the summer of 2025. Tallinn and Riga will get five and Vilnius two additional weekly frequencies.

Finnair has also updated its winter 2024 schedule, adding frequencies to Dallas/Fort Worth, making it a year-round daily service.

Finnair aircraft photo gallery:

Finnair to cancel approximately 550 flights due to political strike in Finland on February 1-2

Finnair Airbus A320-214 OH-LXI (msn 1989) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 962367.

Finnair made this announcement:

Several employee unions in Finland have announced a political strike against the Finnish Government, taking place on February 1–2, 2024. The political strike will have a significant impact on Helsinki Airport’s operations and on Finnair’s flight operations, and consequently, Finnair expects to cancel approximately 550 flights between 1.–2.2.2024.

Finnair has approximately 280 flights per day in its normal traffic program, so the vast majority of flights will be cancelled. Finnair targets to operate a handful of flights during the strike and will communicate directly to those customers who have booking on flights that will be flown.

Finnair will implement flight cancellations in its systems one flight at a time, starting from Tuesday morning January 30, with customers being offered alternative routings. Customers on long-haul flights with onward connections from Helsinki on February 1–2 will be routed directly to their destinations, as there are no connections from Helsinki during the strike.

During the strike, ground services, such as baggage loading, and inflight service (e.g. food and drink offerings), may be affected and the flights that do operate on those days may be delayed.

Due to the large number of cancelled flights and customers, processing the cancellations and rerouting customers takes approximately two days.

Already on January 19 Finnair offered its customers the possibility to move their flights away from strike days. Customers with bookings on Finnair flights between February 1 and February 2 have been able to bring their trip forward or postpone it so that the travel date is no later than March 15, 2024. If the customer’s ticket type normally allows for changes, customers can change travel dates themselves in Manage booking service on Finnair’s website. If the customer’s ticket type does not allow for changes, a cost-free change to the travel date can be made by contacting the travel agency that booked the ticket or Finnair customer service. Finnair has already communicated this possibility directly to customers who have reservations during strike days.

Top Copyright Photo: Finnair Airbus A320-214 OH-LXI (msn 1989) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 962367.