Romu Sakari
How do your current operations in India compare with the 2019 levels?
As compared to 2019 our current operations have significantly improved, and we are at around 65-70 pc level. When it comes to leisure travel, we are fully recovered. However, business travel is not still there yet but we are hopeful.
When do you plan to enhance direct connectivity to India?
We have been operating directly to Delhi since 2006 and in order to further enhance our connectivity with India we have direct daily flights to Delhi since June 2022.
How is the response to your flight to Delhi?
Our operations in Delhi have played a pivotal role in our commitment to connecting with Indian travellers. Despite the initial setback caused by the pandemic and reduced passenger numbers, we have experienced a rapid recovery as travel restrictions eased. The demand for flights to and from Delhi is going strong. This surge can be attributed to pent-up demand resulting from the pandemic, as well as the favourable economic conditions in a dynamic country like India.
What is the current customer profile from/to India for you? What share of the passengers from India are tourists headed to Finland and those on onward journeys?
Many tourists from India visit Finland for leisure, adventure, and cultural exploration
Our customer profile from and to India has evolved over the years, and it reflects the diverse range of travellers we serve. We continue to attract a significant number of tourists from India who choose Finland as their primary destination. Many tourists from India visit Finland for leisure, adventure, and cultural exploration. They often seek experiences such as winter sports, northern lights tours, and visits to iconic landmarks like the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. We serve all segments, leisure, business, visit friend and relatives (VFR), students, group travel etc. As a single destination Finland is the biggest followed by travellers to Scandinavia, Baltics and US.
How have you kept the engagement with the Indian travel trade?
Maintaining engagement with the Indian travel trade has been a crucial aspect of our strategy at Finnair. We recognise the importance of strong partnerships with travel agencies, tour operators, and other stakeholders in the travel industry to ensure the success of our operations in India. We are really grateful of the support we get from all the segments of travel trade.
What is your competition strategy in India? Who are your key rivals?
We offer a compelling long-haul product and a good route network with smooth transfers. We have a wide network, including around 60 destinations in Europe and the US. Our hub, Helsinki Airport, has been elected the best airport in Northern Europe. It offers smooth connections and excellent service. In the last few years, Finnair has invested EUR 200 million to renew its long-haul cabins.
Our renewed business, Premium Economy and Economy Class offer a modern Nordic service experience. We are very proud of what we have to offer, and customer feedback is excellent. On our route to and from Delhi, we have a full Indian crew. This is highly appreciated by our customers.
How serious is the impact of the Ukraine war on your operations to India?
The Russian airspace closure hit right into the core of Finnair strategy and the airspace closure also adds flight time to Delhi about 20 pc. We have now successfully redirected our network, and now operate a balanced network of European, US, Asian and Middle Eastern destinations and have found new traffic flows for example between India and the US.
