Category Archives: Norra

Finnair to fly to 70 destinations this coming winter

Finnair (Nordic Regional Airlines-Norra) Embraer ERJ 190-100LR OH-LKG (msn 19000079) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 951393.

Finnair has made this announcement:

Many countries are opening travel as vaccination coverage increases. Finnair has now updated its offering for September-October and for the winter season 2021/2022 (November – March) to meet the needs of its travel-hungry customers. Destinations for autumn and winter include Canary Islands, with flights starting already in September as well as Miami and Thailand in the winter season. Altogether, Finnair flies to some 70 destinations during winter 2021/2022.

“The travel restrictions continue to impact air travel, but many countries are opening for tourism”, says Ole Orvér, Chief Commercial Officer at Finnair. “When planning our offering, we have taken into account the favorite destinations and holiday seasons of our customers – for example, we will reopen flights to Miami and offer great connections to Thailand, Southern Europe as well as to Scandinavia.”

The Finnish Lapland continues to attract travelers, and in September Finnair offers frequent flights to Kittilä and Ivalo in northern Finland – great destinations to experience the wonderful autumn colors of Lapland. Frequencies to Scandinavia are increased in October when Finnair flies to Oslo and Copenhagen three times per day, making one day business trips smoother.

During the winter season Finnair will fly daily to New York and three times a week to Miami and Los Angeles. Bangkok, Phuket and Krabi will be in the offering for Thailand. Altogether 70 destinations will be operated in the winter season, and Finnair flies to for example Alicante, Malaga and Nice throughout the winter.

As the offering for the late autumn and winter season is updated, adjustments also will occur. Finnair will contact those customers affected directly. Customers can either opt for a full refund or to be rerouted if possible.

“Compared to a normal situation, our traffic program evolves as the travel guidance and restrictions continue to change impacting the demand for our flights”, says Ole Orvér. “We try to provide our customers with the most reliable view of winter travel opportunities, but changes to flights are still possible”.

Top Copyright Photo: Finnair (Nordic Regional Airlines-Norra) Embraer ERJ 190-100LR OH-LKG (msn 19000079) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 951393.

Finnair ATR fleet to be fitted with HEPA filters for improved air quality

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

Finnair is installing High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters on the recirculation system of its entire ATR turboprop fleet as one of the first airlines in the world.

The HEPA air filtration system is the most effective technology for cleansing and purifying aircraft compartments air. The particulate filtration removes dust, allergens, bacteria, viruses and other irritating particles from the cabin air with an efficiency of 99.97%.

Finnair’s Airbus and Embraer aircraft are already fitted with HEPA filters, and now HEPA filters are available also for ATR aircraft.

Finnair’s ATR fleet currently consists of twelve aircraft, operated by Finnair’s partner company Norra on short haul routes in domestic and regional traffic.

The installations of the HEPA filters in the ATR fleet will begin in June and be completed by early 2022.

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

Finnair prepares for possible changes in domestic and regional flights due to Norra pilots’ industrial action

Norra - Nordic Regional Airlines ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-500) OH-ATG (msn 757) HEL (Ton Jochems). Image: 937416.

Finnair has issued this statement:

Norra’s pilot union FAPA ry. has informed about industrial action regarding standby work for its pilots as of Dec 1. Norra operates many of Finnair’s domestic and regional flights.

Due to the industrial action, Finnair prepares for changes in domestic and regional flights in December. Flight cancellations are possible.

To minimize the impacts to our customers’ travel plans, Finnair leases an ATR aircraft with pilots and cabin crew from Danish DAT. The leased aircraft will be used to flights that might otherwise be cancelled.

”We apologize for the inconvenience this situation may cause to our customers. We do our best to ensure that our customers get to their destinations smoothly,” says Jaakko Schildt, Chief Operating Officer, Finnair.

Finnair communicates about the cancellations and changes in carrier directly to customers affected via SMS and/or e-mail. If a flight is cancelled, Finnair re-routes customers to their destinations. Customers can also choose to change the travel date +/- 2 days of the original date or apply for full refund for an unused ticket.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by the airline): Norra – Nordic Regional Airlines ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-500) OH-ATG (msn 757) HEL (Ton Jochems). Image: 937416.

Norra aircraft slide show:

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Finnair invests in new ATR cabin in 2019, new Premium Economy class for long-haul in 2021

Norra - Nordic Regional Airlines ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-500) OH-ATG (msn 757) HEL (Tony Storck). Image: 943676.

Finnair will renew the entire cabin of its ATR aircraft, and introduce a new Premium Economy cabin class for its long-haul fleet. These investments speak of Finnair’s commitment to offer a high level of customer comfort and increased choice for its customers.   

Finnair’s ATR aircraft are currently used for domestic flights in Finland, on flights to the Baltics, to Gdansk in Poland and to Stockholm’s Bromma airport. The flights are operated by Finnair’s partner Norra.

The cabin renewal will include new seats, new carpets and a harmonised and fresh cabin interior design.

The first ATR aircraft with the renewed cabin is expected to be in operation in summer 2019, and the refurbishment of the 12 aircraft will be completed by the end of Q1, 2020.    

 

Finnair will also introduce a new cabin class, Premium Economy, for its entire long-haul fleet from 2021. Located in its own cabin, the Premium Economy class will feature highly customised designs for Finnair and provide customers with increased space and comfort along with an enhanced service offering.  

“We see a growing trend of quality focused travellers, who place a strong focus on the comfort and quality of their travel experience,” adds Karhu. “Responding to customer needs from all our key markets, our new Premium Economy class will serve the requirements of both leisure and corporate customers.”  

The rollout of Premium Economy class to Finnair’s long-haul fleet starts in Q4 2020 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.  Detailed planning of the cabin design, service concept as well as the commercial aspects are currently ongoing, and Finnair will be communicating more details at a later stage.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by the airlines): Norra – Nordic Regional Airlines ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-500) OH-ATG (msn 757) HEL (Tony Storck). Image: 943676.

Norra aircraft slide show:

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Danish Air Transport becomes Norra’s majority shareholder

Norra - Nordic Regional Airlines ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-500) OH-ATF (msn 744) HEL (Ton Jochems). Image: 937415.

Finnair has released this statement:

Danish Air Transport (DAT) has acquired 60% of Nordic Regional Airlines AB (Norra) from Finnair, which held the 100 % stake in Norra on an interim basis after Norra’s previous owners who held 60% of shares exited the business in November 2017.

Finnair continues to own 40% of the company. As such, the transaction has no impact on Norra’s operations, personnel or purchase agreement between Finnair and Norra.

Norra operates Finnair’s domestic and European routes with a total of 24 ATR and Embraer aircraft.

The transaction requires approval by the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by Norra): Norra – Nordic Regional Airlines ATR 72-212A (ATR 72-500) OH-ATF (msn 744) HEL (Ton Jochems). Image: 937415.

Norra aircraft slide show:

DAT Route Map: