Finnair makes further cutbacks on Beijing route

Finnair is making further adjustments on the Helsinki-Beijing route due to the drop in demand. As of next week, one weekly return flight to Beijing will be operated instead of the current three flights. Frequencies were cut back less than a month ago from five to three weekly flights.

Finnair stated the reason for the cutbacks is the drastic drop in demand in the Chinese market.

"The appearance SARS epidemic there was a strong decrease in travel from Europe to China. Lately Chinese travel to Europe has also dropped dramatically," explains VP Network Strategies and Management Petteri Kostermaa.

Starting May 22 until the end of July, Helsinki-Beijing flights will be operated on Thursdays with flights from Beijing to Helsinki flown on Saturdays. This allows business passengers also to make a quick visit to Beijing. As of August the route will be operated three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

"Frequencies will be increased as the SARS situation improves and demand begins to grow again. Plans to start operations to Shanghai in September are still going ahead," Kostermaa says.