Finnair CEO says Chinese carriers gain edge by using Russian airspace
Finnair chief Turkka Kuusisto warned that Chinese airlines enjoy shorter routes by flying over Russia, putting the Finnish carrier at a disadvantage.
Finnair’s chief executive, Turkka Kuusisto, highlighted a competitive imbalance after Chinese airlines began using Russian airspace, which shortens their routes. He explained that Western airlines have largely stopped flying over Russia, extending travel times; for example, the Shanghai-Helsinki sector now requires roughly 12 hours, whereas the same journey would be eight hours with Russian access. The loss of Russian airspace has compelled Finnair to redesign routes and suspend its winter services between Helsinki and both Doha and Dubai.
Kuusisto added that the airline must now compete more fiercely with carriers from the Persian Gulf region. Nevertheless, he expressed confidence in Helsinki’s established position as a major aviation hub.
