Finnair used its Capital Markets Update (CMU) in Helsinki on 13 November to set out an aggressive, mobility-relevant growth strategy for the 2026-29 period. Chief Executive Turkka Kuusisto told investors that the carrier will return to “measured capacity growth” after several years of restructuring, adding three Airbus A350-900s and converting five leased A330-300s to the cabin configuration used on the newest long-haul jets. The fleet moves will raise long-haul seat capacity by 18 percent and, crucially for corporate mobility managers, restore daily frequencies to Tokyo, Seoul and Hong Kong while adding a second daily Helsinki–Singapore rotation.
Finnair will also reinforce its position as the fastest one-stop option between Northern Europe and North-East Asia by extending a co-operation agreement with JR East to sell through-tickets that combine air and high-speed rail. For Finnish outbound business travellers, the airline promised faster early-morning bank of intra-European departures to improve same-day meeting options in Frankfurt, Brussels and Zürich. Cargo capacity will grow by 12 percent, supporting Nordic export flows and relocation shipments.
![Finnair outlines new Asia-focused growth plan at 2025 Capital Markets Update]()
A centerpiece of the CMU was a pledge to keep unit costs flat despite inflation by concentrating more maintenance work at Finnair’s new wide-body hangar in Vantaa and renegotiating ground-handling contracts at Helsinki Airport. Kuusisto said the changes would make Finnair the “network backbone” for Finland’s Talent Boost and Work-in-Finland programmes, noting that 72 percent of long-term residence permits issued to highly skilled workers involve first-entry on a Finnair ticket.
From a mobility-policy perspective, the airline confirmed it is “technically ready” for the EU’s Entry/Exit System launch on 12 October 2025 and will equip all non-Schengen gates with ABC e-gates capable of EES/ETIAS checks by July. Travel managers were advised to update traveller profiles with biometric-enrolment status to avoid bottlenecks in the fourth-quarter peak. Finnair expects the EES to shave two minutes off average transfer times once initial teething issues are solved, thanks to automatic border channels.
Analysts welcomed the plan as pragmatic. “Finnair is striking a balance between Asia recovery and cost discipline—positive for corporates that rely on Helsinki as a secure, punctual hub,” said aviation consultancy IBA. The CMU details provide mobility stakeholders with a forward view on capacity, fare pressure and compliance timelines, enabling better programme budgeting for 2026.
Finnair will also reinforce its position as the fastest one-stop option between Northern Europe and North-East Asia by extending a co-operation agreement with JR East to sell through-tickets that combine air and high-speed rail. For Finnish outbound business travellers, the airline promised faster early-morning bank of intra-European departures to improve same-day meeting options in Frankfurt, Brussels and Zürich. Cargo capacity will grow by 12 percent, supporting Nordic export flows and relocation shipments.
A centerpiece of the CMU was a pledge to keep unit costs flat despite inflation by concentrating more maintenance work at Finnair’s new wide-body hangar in Vantaa and renegotiating ground-handling contracts at Helsinki Airport. Kuusisto said the changes would make Finnair the “network backbone” for Finland’s Talent Boost and Work-in-Finland programmes, noting that 72 percent of long-term residence permits issued to highly skilled workers involve first-entry on a Finnair ticket.
From a mobility-policy perspective, the airline confirmed it is “technically ready” for the EU’s Entry/Exit System launch on 12 October 2025 and will equip all non-Schengen gates with ABC e-gates capable of EES/ETIAS checks by July. Travel managers were advised to update traveller profiles with biometric-enrolment status to avoid bottlenecks in the fourth-quarter peak. Finnair expects the EES to shave two minutes off average transfer times once initial teething issues are solved, thanks to automatic border channels.
Analysts welcomed the plan as pragmatic. “Finnair is striking a balance between Asia recovery and cost discipline—positive for corporates that rely on Helsinki as a secure, punctual hub,” said aviation consultancy IBA. The CMU details provide mobility stakeholders with a forward view on capacity, fare pressure and compliance timelines, enabling better programme budgeting for 2026.
