Qantas announces codeshare partnership with Finnair

SYDNEY, Australia – Qantas today announced a new codeshare partnership with Finnair, adding Helsinki to its European network.

The arrangement will see Qantas codeshare on Finnair flights between Bangkok and Helsinki from February 2011 and on Finnair’s new service between Singapore and Helsinki from May 2011. Finnair will codeshare on Qantas services between both Bangkok and Singapore and Australia.

Group Executive Qantas Airlines Commercial, Mr Rob Gurney, said Qantas was pleased to be expanding its relationship with fellow oneworld member Finnair.

“Qantas serves a wide range of destinations in northern Europe through our alliance with British Airways – including the Scandinavian capitals Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm – and Helsinki will be an excellent addition to this network,” Mr Gurney said.

“The two airlines already enjoy a good relationship within oneworld, so strengthening our commercial ties with Finnair was a logical step.

“Finnair is a high-quality carrier with outstanding product and service and a focus on connecting Europe and Asia. Their decision to launch services to Singapore, Qantas’ primary hub in Asia, made this new codeshare particularly attractive for us, allowing connections through to five Australian capital cities.

“With its impressive airport, Helsinki is Finland’s business and tourism hub. As well as being a great destination in itself, the city provides access to Finland’s many outstanding natural attractions. It is ranked among the top 10 most liveable cities in the world by the Economist magazine and home to Finland’s world-class high-tech industry.

“Alliances with British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Iberia, Malev, Air France and now Finnair give Qantas customers access to over 40 destinations in Europe, supporting 35 Qantas-operated services between Australia and Europe each week.

“We are continuing to develop our alliance strategy to add breadth to our global network and increase the travel options available to Qantas customers.”

“Thanks to this expanded cooperation, Finnair will be able to offer its customers a wide range of destinations in Australia and its Australian customers more choices when travelling to Europe,” said Mika Perho, Senior Vice President Commercial Division, Finnair.