News: Finnair to fly to Mumbai, increase frequency to Delhi

(IANS 28/03/2007) New Delhi - As part of its expansion plans in India, Finnish carrier Finnair is all set to add Mumbai as the second destination and increase frequency to New Delhi to every day of the week.

Finnair, which currently operates three flights from here, will begin its daily flights from mid May. From Mumbai, it will operate five times a week starting June 17.

"India is a very strategic market for us. We have less recognition here, which is why we are trying to promote Finland not only as a viable business destination but also as a preferred holiday destination," Ambassador of Finland Asko Numminen said at a press conference here.

"Indians today have more consumption capacity than Europeans. Last year almost nine million Indians travelled abroad and we want a majority of them to travel to Finland," he added.

With Finnair's latest move, India will be connected by 12 flights a week to Finland. The carrier started its India operations in October 2006 and boasts of running the shortest route between India and any EU country, taking barely six-and-a-half hours.

According to Seppo I. Keranen, head of Finpro India, a Finnish trade promotion body: "Last year, we had a 47 percent increase in visas to Finland. This year we hope that will surge tremendously with the addition of Mumbai, India's commercial hub."

Keranen also said that it plans to add Chennai as its next destination, mainly because Finnish mobile giant Nokia has set up a manufacturing facility there.

"We are constantly trying our best to increase our presence here. Gradually I can see there is increasing awareness about Finland in India," said Taina Tornstrom, Finnair director for the Indian subcontinent.

"Mumbai is India's biggest business city and centre of business and logistics. India's most affluent population lives in the area, too, so there is big potential for tourist traffic to Europe."