Finnair’s winter 2022 flight schedule reflects expectations that the block on EU-based carriers overlying Russia could endure for some time, as it continues to suspend services to several destinations in Japan. The Helsinki-based airline is particularly exposed to restrictions on overflying Russia for geographic and strategic reasons – in the latter case given its historical focus on connecting Asia with Europe. Outlining its plan for winter 2022 on 19 April, the Oneworld carrier noted that it still expects to serve 10 destinations in Asia, five in the USA and 63 across Europe, with chief commercial officer Ole Orver saying that travel is “recovering at a rapid pace” as the pandemic recedes. Flights from Helsinki to Tokyo Haneda, Nagoya, Osaka and Sapporo are, however, still suspended for the winter season, “due to the continued closure of Russian airspace”. Announcing its summer 2022 schedule in November 2021, Finnair had cited Japan as its major focus in Asia amid China’s Covid-related restrictions on international arrivals, describing the former as its ”single largest market outside our home market Finland”. <br/>
oneworld
Royal Jordanian Airlines is negotiating a fleet modernisation which is focused on replacing and expanding the short- and medium-haul jets operated by the Middle Eastern carrier. The airline outlined an expansion strategy during its annual general meeting on 18 April. Royal Jordanian, which is trying to recover from the impact of the pandemic on its financial performance, states that it will operate 24 aircraft this year. These include seven Boeing 787s, 12 Airbus A320-family aircraft, four Embraer regional jets and a single A310 freighter. Its flight schedule of 362 weekly services, mainly within the Middle East, will also include 84 to Europe and 24 to North America. But the airline says its five-year strategy, intended to overcome the pandemic’s “significant” effect on the company, foresees expanding its network from 35 to 60 destinations. The airline will undertake a modernisation of its fleet, indicating that it will replace 17 older short- and medium-haul aircraft with new models, and add a further 13. Royal Jordanian says it is involved in talks with Airbus, Boeing and Embraer on the modernisation plan. Its A320s and A321s are around 10 years of age, but its A319s and Embraers are older – around 14-16 years. The strategy not only aims to reduce operating costs but also increase service levels to passengers and promote tourism to Jordan.<br/>