According to Finavia, there are expected to be more than 430 charter flights in December, more than in the previous winter. During the Christmas season, an increasing number of route flights will also carry passengers from different parts of the world to Lapland.
Measured by the number of charter flights, the busiest airports in December will be the recently modernised Kittilä (153 flights) and Rovaniemi (141 flights) Airports. Kittilä is expected to have as many flights as in the year before, whereas the corresponding figure at Rovaniemi Airport will increase by 13 flights.
Furthermore, the charter flight volume will increase in Enontekiö and Ivalo: Enontekiö will have 57 charter flights and Ivalo 69 flights. Approximately 10 charter flights have been scheduled to Kuusamo.
Charter flight traffic started on 20 November, when the first charter flight landed at Enontekiö Airport. The number of flights increases gradually as we get closer to Christmas and, between Christmas and New Year, as many as 30 flights will arrive at Lapland's airports daily.
Most of the Christmas tourists come from Great Britain. Other flights will arrive from France, the Netherlands, Spain and Ireland, and from Russia around New Year.
“Based on the number of charter flights, the winter season will be busier in Lapland, particularly in Rovaniemi where the traffic volume has increased. The increase in the number of charter flights depicts the attractiveness of Lapland as a tourist attraction, even though the global economic situation is uncertain. The popularity of Lapland as a safe destination may also be increased by the recent world events,” says Joni Sundelin, director at Finavia.
Through its cost-efficient and world-class airports, Finavia is doing its part to improve the capacity of travel and tourism in Lapland. In addition to an easy access to travel destinations from its airports, Finavia has invested in a smooth and pleasant travel experience at all of its airports in Lapland.
As part of Finavia's extensive development programme, it will invest more than EUR 30 million in its airports in Lapland between 2014 and 2016.
This year, terminal modernisations were completed in Ivalo and Rovaniemi. Kittilä was earlier furnished with a more enjoyable facelift in addition to a smoother travel experience.
Finavia's goal is to keep the pricing and service levels of its airports competitive to create prerequisites for air traffic at the airport. Ultimately, the traffic volume will, however, depend on the attractiveness of the travel services and the regions, which create the real basis for demand.
Finavia's airports are ready to welcome all Christmas travellers. Welcome to Finland!
