Edinburgh – Helsinki takes off

Finnair last week celebrated its inaugural flights between Edinburgh and Helsinki with the message that the journey – which takes less than three hours – allows passengers from Scotland to take the shortcut to Asia with just one fast transfer via the Finnish capital.

A traditional water cannon salute and Scottish bagpiper welcomed the aircraft as it landed in Edinburgh.

Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport, said the route was "fantastic news".

He added: "I congratulate Finnair for recognising the growing international demand for direct links to Edinburgh, and this move shows that they have similar aspirations for growth as we do."

Finnair is operating three flights a week between the two capitals using a two-class 138-seat Airbus A319. A fourth weekly flight is being introduced on Wednesdays between 22 June and 10 August.

The new link allows Finnair passengers from Edinburgh to reach Hong Kong in 13hr 15min, Beijing in 14hr 5min and Seoul in 14hr 30min.

Helsinki Airport has grown into a major transfer hub for travellers between Europe and Asia, with Finnair offering 77 weekly flights to 17 Asian destinations from Helsinki this summer.   www.finnair.com   www.edinburghairport.com

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