Finnair will cancel dozens of flights in September. It will be flying fewer frequencies to European destinations in September than previously planned, the Finnish-flag carrier said on Wednesday.
Overall, in September 2020, Finnair will operate approximately 30% of the flights it had in September 2019.
In a press release, the company blames the impending cancellations on the coronavirus pandemic, which has forced many countries to impose new travel restrictions in recent weeks, resulting in lower-than-expected demand.
However, the effects will not be perceived only in European air traffic. "Some domestic destinations will also be served with a lower frequency than before," the company says.
The airline is scheduled to fly in September to all European destinations that were flown in August, but at a lower frequency. The exceptions are the cities of Nice and Turku, to which Finnair flights will stop next month.
The company said that customers will be contacted to be informed about canceled flights and re-route them on other flights. "The majority of passengers on European flights can be accommodated on a new flight on the same day," the airline emphasized.
“There are still no connecting passengers from Asia and the United States to support European flights because of severe travel restrictions in these regions. Also, the local demand is more moderate than estimated due to the same restrictions. Therefore, we must adjust flights accordingly,” explained Mikko Turtiainen, Vice President of Finnair.
Domestic flights
Frequencies to some domestic destinations will be also adjusted.
In September, Finnair will fly to Kuopio once a day and to Vaasa and Mariehamn five times a week.
The company had also planned to start flights to Tampere in September, but due to the demand situation these flights will be cancelled.
However, flights to Ivalo, Kittilä and Kuusamo will increase in September. There will be eight flights a week to Ivalo and Kittilä and nine flights a week to Kuusamo.
Rovaniemi continues to be served with 28 weekly flights.
“Lapland and Kuusamo seem to be of more interest to domestic passengers than expected, which is why we are adding new flights to these destinations,” Turtiainen added.
