Come June 27, city to be linked with Helsinki

The biggest business city of the country and its affluent population has attracted yet another international airline to set shop in Mumbai. Tagged as the shortest gateway to Northern Europe from Mumbai, Finnair announced Helsinki-Mumbai service five times a week starting from June 27. The flight would take eight hours.

“Mumbai was chosen as the new long haul destination in response to requests from Finnish and Indian customers. From Mumbai the outbound market to Europe is more, hence there is tremendous tourism potential,” said Christer Haglund, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Finnair.

The Mumbai-Helsinki flight, an Airbus 340, would have 265 seats in economy class and 30 seats in business class. The long-haul flight will also provide “lie-flat seats” in the business class.

“This flight would also be convenient for passengers from Pune and Ahmedabad. This service would also help Mumbai travellers to enjoy the undiscovered locales in North Europe like Scandinavia,” said Taina Tornstrom, Director, Indian Subcontinent, Finnair.

Airports in the pipeline:

• Thane : Emerging industrial town
• Shirdi: International pilgrimage
  destination
• Sholapur : Handloom centre of state
•  Jalgaon: Banana centre of state
• Bhusawal: Tourist destination 
•  Chandrapur: Coal and cement industry