In May, Finnair carried 82,800 passengers, which was 210.4% more than in May 2020. The COVID-19 impact was clearly visible already then as Finnair operated only a minimum network due to strict and extensive travel restrictions. The number of passengers in May 2021 was 2.3% more than in April 2021 (month-on-month figures are not fully comparable as there is one day less in April compared to May).

The COVID-19 impact, including the exceptionally strict travel restrictions imposed by several countries, still affected all passenger traffic figures. It was visible especially in the North Atlantic and Asian figures. The overall capacity measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK) increased in May by 318.3% year-on-year but decreased by 0.6% month-on-month. Finnair operated 65 daily flights (cargo-only included) on average which was 80.6% more than in May 2020 but 3.0% less than in April 2021. The differences between capacity figures compared to May 2020 are explained by the longer average stage length of operated flights and by the larger gauge of operated aircraft. Finnair’s traffic measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPKs) increased by 305.9% year-on-year and by 9.1% month-on-month. The Passenger Load Factor (PLF) decreased by 0.9% points to 29.0% year-on-year but increased by 2.6% points month-on-month.

The ASK increase in Asian as well as in North Atlantic traffic was 100.0% year-on-year as there were no related passenger flights in May 2020. In European traffic, the ASKs were up by 67.6%. The ASKs in domestic traffic increased by 141.7%.

RPKs increased in Asian and North Atlantic traffic by 100.0% year-on-year, in European traffic by 193.8% and in domestic traffic by 257.8%.

The PLF was 11.8% in Asian traffic but it was supported by the strong cargo operations and a high cargo load factor. The PLF was 22.7% in North Atlantic traffic, 49.6% in European traffic and 69.9% in domestic traffic.

Passenger numbers increased in Asian and North Atlantic traffic by 100.0% year-on-year, in European traffic by 179.2% and in domestic traffic by 239.6%.

In May, available scheduled cargo tonne kilometres increased by 2,736.6% year-on-year (decreased by 4.6% month-on-month) and revenue scheduled cargo tonne kilometres increased by 6,145.3% (decreased by 7.7% month-on-month), both due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on scheduled flights especially Asian and North Atlantic traffic in May 2020. However, cargo related available tonne kilometres increased only by 43.4% year-on-year (decreased by 15.3% month-on-month) and revenue tonne kilometres increased by 62.3% (decreased by 16.2% month-on-month) as they both also include the cargo-only flights operated mainly between Europe and Asia as well as Europe and North America. Cargo-only tonnes were down by 1.4% year-on-year and by 19.0% month-on-month. The total cargo tonnes increased by 53.6% year-on-year but decreased by 14.6% month-on-month. Demand for the cargo capacity remained strong especially in Asian traffic. As a result, the cargo load factor was higher than in the corresponding period of 2020.

In May, 94.9% of all Finnair flights arrived on schedule (96.5%).

Traffic statistics for June 2021 will be published on Wednesday 7 July 2021.

* Based on average operational cargo capacity

** Including purchased traffic

• Change %: Change compared to the figures of the respective periods in the previous year (p = points).
• Available seat kilometres. ASK: Total number of seats available. multiplied by the number of kilometres flown.
• Revenue passenger kilometres. RPK: Number of revenue passengers carried. multiplied by kilometres flown.
• Passenger load factor: Share of revenue passenger kilometres of available seat kilometres.
• Available tonne kilometres. ATK: Number of tonnes of capacity for carriage of passengers. cargo and mail. multiplied by kilometres flown.
• Revenue tonne kilometres. RTK: Total revenue load consisting of passengers. cargo and mail. multiplied by kilometres flown.
• Overall load factor: Share of revenue tonne kilometres of available tonne kilometres.

Finnair is expanding its Taste of Finnair meal sales in Finland: from Monday May 3, the hand-made meals from Finnair Kitchen are available in Foodora online food delivery service. In addition, meals continue to be available in selected K stores.

At the moment, Taste of Finnair meals are available in Foodora’s webstore Foodora Market in the Helsinki area, and in selected K stores in Southern Finland.

Taste of Finnair -meals are handmade in our kitchen in Vantaa, Finland. Designed by our top chefs, they have been inspired by Finnair business class meals. Taste of Finnair portrays both the fresh taste of the north and the selection of flavors from our destinations.

The COVID-19 pandemic impact was still clearly visible in the March passenger traffic figures, very strong month for cargo

In March, Finnair carried 86,300 passengers, which was 82.7% less than in March 2020 even though the COVID-19 impact was visible already then. The number of passengers in March 2021 was 1.1% less than in February 2021.

The COVID-19 impact, including the exceptionally strict travel restrictions imposed by several countries, still affected all passenger traffic figures. It was visible especially in the North Atlantic figures despite the first passenger flights since June 2020 and Asian figures.

The overall capacity measured in Available Seat Kilometers (ASK) decreased in March by 81.3% year-on-year. Finnair operated 74 daily flights (cargo-only included) on average which was 34.6% compared to March 2020. The differences between capacity figures are explained by the shorter average stage length of operated flights and by the smaller gauge of operated aircraft compared to March 2020. Finnair’s traffic measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPKs) decreased by 92.0%. The Passenger Load Factor (PLF) decreased by 33.4% points to 24.6%.

The ASK decline in Asian traffic was 78.7%. The North Atlantic capacity decreased by 91.4%. In European traffic, the ASKs were down by 85.0%. The ASKs in domestic traffic decreased by 65.3%.

RPKs decreased in Asian traffic by 96.4%, in North Atlantic traffic by 99.3%, in European traffic by 89.4% and in domestic traffic by 59.6%.

The PLF was 9.9% in Asian traffic but it was supported by the very strong cargo operations and a high cargo load factor. The PLF was 5.3% in North Atlantic traffic, 39.6% in European traffic and 58.9% in domestic traffic.

Passenger numbers decreased in Asian traffic by 96.2%, in North Atlantic traffic by 99.2%, in European traffic by 85.5% and in domestic traffic by 65.1%.

Available scheduled cargo tonne kilometers decreased by 73.2% year-on-year and revenue scheduled cargo tonne kilometers decreased by 56.5%, both due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on scheduled flights. However, cargo related available tonne kilometers decreased only by 16.6% and revenue tonne kilometers increased by 26.5% as they both also include the cargo-only flights operated mainly between Europe and Asia as well as Europe and North America. Compared to February 2021, cargo-only tonnes were up by 36.9% and the total cargo tonnes by 30.0% as demand for the cargo capacity was very strong especially in Asian traffic. As a result, the cargo load factor was clearly higher than in the corresponding period of 2020.

In March, 93.1% of all Finnair flights arrived on schedule (92.0%).

Traffic statistics for April 2021 will be published on Wednesday 5 May 2021.

* Based on average operational cargo capacity

** Including purchased traffic

• Change %: Change compared to the figures of the respective periods in the previous year (p = points).
• Available seat kilometres. ASK: Total number of seats available. multiplied by the number of kilometres flown.
• Revenue passenger kilometres. RPK: Number of revenue passengers carried. multiplied by kilometres flown.
• Passenger load factor: Share of revenue passenger kilometres of available seat kilometres.
• Available tonne kilometres. ATK: Number of tonnes of capacity for carriage of passengers. cargo and mail. multiplied by kilometres flown.
• Revenue tonne kilometres. RTK: Total revenue load consisting of passengers. cargo and mail. multiplied by kilometres flown.
• Overall load factor: Share of revenue tonne kilometres of available tonne kilometres.

Finnair has announced it will start flights from Helsinki to Alicante with one weekly frequency from May 1.

In other news, Finnair reported concerning COVID-19:

Finnair has signalled its interest for electric aviation as a force to be reckoned with for future flying, signing a Letter of Interest for Heart Aerospace’s Electric ES-19 electric aircraft, which is currently under development.

Finnair could acquire up to 20 of the new 19-seater Heart Aerospace ES-19 electric aircraft (above), for use on the airline’s short routes. According to Heart Aerospace, the aircraft are expected to be available for first commercial flights in 2026.

Anne Larilahti, Finnair Vice President of Sustainability, said: “Finnair believes electric aviation will be one of the tools for the future of flying. It will help to promote responsible and sustainable aviation especially on short routes, in an era where climate change will increasingly dominate the agenda.

“We want to be actively involved in developing and implementing new technologies which enable carbon-neutral flying.

“Solving the climate challenge of flying is essential so that the social and economic benefits of aviation can continue. Many of the measures require collaboration across industries in tandem with partners playing a key role in our ongoing sustainability work.”

Anders Forslund, CEO at Heart Aerospace, said:  We’re excited about Finnair signing this letter of interest for our ES-19 aircraft. Finnair’s climate goals are among the most ambitious in the airline industry, and we believe that our electric aircraft can play an important role in creating zero emissions regional travel. We’ve been working closely together in the Nordic Network for some time. We are very impressed by the dedication and commitment of the Finnair team, and we’re thankful for their support as we take the next steps in building and certifying the ES-19.

Since 2019, Finnair has been a part of the Nordic Electric Aviation initiative to drive the development of electric flying, with focus on standardising electric air infrastructure in the Nordic countries; developing business models for regional point-to-point connectivity between Nordic countries; developing aircraft technology for Nordic weather conditions; and creating a platform for European and global collaborations.

As part of its industry-leading commitment to sustainability, Finnair is committed to halving its net CO2 emissions by the end of 2025 and achieving carbon neutrality in 2045.

Among the range of measures needed to achieve this are improving fuel efficiency, reducing aircraft weight, combining different modes of transport, emissions trading, and sustainable aviation fuels.

The European Commission has approved a loan of 351 million euros ($419 million) from the government of Finland to Finnair as compensation for its losses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.