Finnair the national carrier of Finland, the homeland of Santa Claus, and the official airlines of Santa Klaus brought the festive spirit of Christmas to New Delhi from December 6 to 8 as part of its global Christmas tour. 

On December 6, Finnair hosted a Christmas event for select media partners and travel industry professionals at the Finnish Embassy. The celebration featured traditional Finnish delicacies, cultural showcases, and, of course, an opportunity to meet Santa Claus himself. 

The evening began with a warm welcome address by Mari Ahmed, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Finland. In her remarks, she highlighted the significance of the event, coinciding with Finland‘s Independence Day on December 6, making the occasion even more special. She also shared Finland’s unique offerings, from being the homeland of Santa Klaus to being ranked as the happiest country in the world and a popular destination for tourists. Following her address, Anupam Vig, General Manager of Finnair India, also addressed the gathering. 

Santa brought joy to families at DLF CyberHub, delighting children and parents alike with his cheerful presence

In a press statement, Finnair says that Santa’s visit to India also included a special appearance at the Finnish Embassy and a heartwarming interaction with children at Salaam Balak Trust, an NGO supporting street children. At the shelter home, Santa was greeted by the children, who had decorated a corner with a Christmas tree and festive ornaments. 

Additionally, on December 7, Santa brought joy to families at DLF CyberHub, delighting children and parents alike with his cheerful presence. Before arriving in India, Santa Claus had already spread holiday cheer in London, Berlin, and Japan as part of his world tour, adds the statement. 

As Finland‘s national flag carrier, Finnair connects travellers to Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus. The airline operates daily flights from New Delhi to Helsinki, offering seamless connections to Rovaniemi and beyond.

The statement adds that Rovaniemi is a sought-after destination by travellers seeking to explore the Santa Claus Village, which is open year-round for guests to visit Father Christmas and soak in the charming festive atmosphere. Visitors can admire the Finnish design within the village’s wooden buildings as they send Christmas cards to loved ones and explore atmospheric restaurants, cafes, and gift shops alongside other attractions.

The statement adds that since 1983, Finnair has been the official airline of Santa Claus collaborating with the Santa Claus Foundation, which aims to boost children’s wellbeing across the globe. The partnership involved flying Santa on goodwill tours of Europe and Asia annually and hosting charitable projects to generate funds supporting education in Nepal.