JetBuddy wrote:

I believe this is the first 737-8 for Icelandair. She looks great!

https://www.airliners.net/photo/Icelanda ... /4863141/L

Peeter wrote:

In the English-language Wikipedia article about Jan Carlzon, CEO of SAS Group 1981-1994, this passage caught my attention.

Carlzon also oversaw a complete corporate identity re-design, a process which was marred when a journalist gained unlawful access to a hangar with a plane painted in a proposed livery was photographed and widely published in Scandinavian newspapers. Unfortunately, either the brief to the agency, Landor Associates, was not good enough or they had misunderstood it and painted the plane with 5 crowns to symbolize the 5 Nordic countries. This caused a huge public furore as SAS only contains the airlines of the three monarchies Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Incidentally, the other two Nordic countries Finland and Iceland are both republics and would therefore not be represented by crowns. The task of re-developing the corporate identity was later given to another firm.

No source is given. Does anyone have any further information about this or has anyone come across the abovementioned pictures published in Scandinavian media?

• the airline is “in much better shape” in 2018 than last year
• next round of discussions regarding Scandinavian countries and Siberian corridor will be held next summer
• Swedish aviation tax may increase DY’s average fares by 25-30%
• he ”dares to say” that they will bring long-haul flights to HEL within the next two years
• over 100,000 Finns have travelled with Norwegian to the US, mostly via LGW and ARN
• he had a solemn face when talking about how many aircraft they are receiving this year

Ramdahl believes in long-haul flights: "This company would not be in the current situation without risk taking and believing that we are doing the right things. Risk assessments must simply be done correctly on the routes and react quickly if the situation changes."

TUI Nordic in recent schedule listing filed Boeing 737 MAX 8 operations for summer 2018 season, between 25MAR18 and 27OCT18. Planned 737 MAX 8 network as follows.

Helsinki – Alghero 09MAY18 – 03OCT18 1 weekly
Helsinki – Bourgas 21MAY18 – 10SEP18 1 weekly
Helsinki – Catania 24APR18 – 02OCT18 1 weekly
Helsinki – Chania 19APR18 – 13OCT18 2 weekly
Helsinki – Corfu 13MAY18 – 30SEP18 1 weekly
Helsinki – Gran Canaria/Las Palmas 3 weekly (Except 15APR18 – 16OCT18)
Helsinki – Kos 11MAY18 – 12OCT18 1 weekly
Helsinki – Lanzarote 2 weekly
Helsinki – Larnaca 23APR18 – 15OCT18 1 weekly
Helsinki – Mahon 17MAY18 – 04OCT18 1 weekly
Helsinki – Palma Mallorca 28APR18 – 06OCT18 1 weekly
Helsinki – Rhodes 22APR18 – 14OCT18 1 weekly
Helsinki – Samos 01MAY18 – 02OCT18 1 weekly
Helsinki – Split 04MAY18 – 28SEP18 1 weekly
Helsinki – Tenerife South 2 weekly (Except 18APR18 – 15OCT18)
Helsinki – Zakynthos 16MAY18 – 03OCT18 1 weekly
Visby – Catania 09OCT18 (Return 17OCT18)

Further plans include adding a third daily frequency between Moscow and Helsinki in April. With joint flights with Aeroflot factored in, the number of daily operations between Moscow and Helsinki will reach six in the summer.

Finnair reported a 29.3% traffic surge on its Russian routes last year, following a 19% increase in capacity. The growth rate was the highest in the fourth quarter, reaching 34% year-on-year.

The list of Finnair’s destinations most favored by the Russian travelers in 2017 includes Alicante, Paris, Prague, Stockholm, Milan, and Munich. Finland as the final destination also proved quite popular with Russian passengers: mostly Helsinki and several destinations in Lapland, such as Rovaniemi. Connection flights to the US (New York, Chicago, Miami, and San Francisco) are among the most popular long-haul destinations, as are the Asian cities of Bangkok, Singapore, and Tokyo. Finnair’s new service to Havana, introduced this winter, was also well received.

http://www.rusaviainsider.com/finnair-a ... ts-russia/

China Eastern from June 2018 is launching service to Sweden, as the airline opened bookings for Shanghai Pu Dong – Stockholm Arlanda on Friday (02MAR18). From 16JUN18, the Skyteam member will serve this route 4 times a week, on board Airbus A330-200.

MU289 PVG0105 – 0615ARN 332 x135
MU290 ARN1230 – 0510+1PVG 332 x135

Someone83 wrote:

Widerøe is increasing TRF-CPH from 2x daily to 3x daily from August 13, after having graduallly cut back from up to 5x daily. All flights with Q400

In addition from August 13, about 75% of the flight TRF-TRD will be with E190-E2

QuawerAir wrote:

JAL to operate Tokyo Narita – Reykjavik Keflavik charters in September 2018, 2 round-trip flights.

Finnair as the Most Profitable Nordic Airline in 2017

Finnair made a new high operating margin in 2017, when it also became the most profitable major airline in the Nordic region, beating SAS, Icelandair and the loss-making Norwegian with its margin. This marks a strong recovery from the years following the global financial crisis, when Finnair struggled to make a profit and was the region’s weakest performer.

In spite of quickening capacity growth and strong competition in the region, Finnair’s load factor and unit revenue increased in 2017, compounding the beneficial impact of a unit cost reduction (thanks mainly to fuel hedging).

Finnair achieved its best load factor and unit revenue performance in Asia, in spite of growing its capacity faster there than in any other region. Its strategy of using its Helsinki hub to target connecting traffic between Europe and Asia seems to be paying off.

" Finnair’s turnaround has been based on sticking to its strategic priority on Asian routes while supplementing this with targeted growth elsewhere in its network, also supported by a fleet renewal programme and restructured labour agreements."

None of these factors has produced overnight results, and Finnair has also been patient and persistent in clawing its way back to beating its financial targets.

Finnair this month is offering charter flights to Lebanon, which sees the airline operating Tampere – Beirut route, on board Airbus A320 aircraft. A total of 3 round-trip flights will be offered in March 2018.

AY7559 TMP1855 – 2325BEY 320 06MAR18 / 20MAR18 / 27MAR18
AY7560 BEY0040 – 0520TMP 320 07MAR18 / 21MAR18 / 28MAR18

Sichuan Airlines plans to open five intercontinental routes this year as the Chengdu-based carrier accelerates its international expansion pace.

Chairman Li Haiying told Chinese local media that the five routes, all originating from Chengdu, will go to Zurich, Copenhagen, Boston, Cairo and Tel Aviv. They have all received regulatory approval and expect to launch beginning in May.

Air Transport World 6.3.2018: Sichuan Airlines to launch five intercontinental routes

Doha – Stockholm eff 01JUN18 787-8 continues to operate QR167/168, QR169/170, replacing previously planned A350-900XWB (Overall remains 2 daily 787)

Routesonline

In February, Finnair carried 957,100 passengers, or 14.7% more than in the corresponding period of 2017. The number of passengers grew the most in Asian traffic, 26.4%, but growth was also strong on North American routes (+22.3%), European flights (+12.5%) and in domestic traffic (+10.5%).

QuawerAir wrote:

China Eastern plans Stockholm launch in June 2018

China Eastern from June 2018 is launching service to Sweden, as the airline opened bookings for Shanghai Pu Dong – Stockholm Arlanda on Friday (02MAR18). From 16JUN18, the Skyteam member will serve this route 4 times a week, on board Airbus A330-200.

MU289 PVG0105 – 0615ARN 332 x135
MU290 ARN1230 – 0510+1PVG 332 x135

Routesonline

Nami wrote:

Finnair Traffic Performance in February 2018

Passengers: 957,100 (+14.7%)
ASK (mill): 3,020.9 (+18.8%)
RPK (mill): 2,544.3 (+20.6%)
Load factor: 84.2 (+1.3p)

In February, Finnair carried 957,100 passengers, or 14.7% more than in the corresponding period of 2017. The number of passengers grew the most in Asian traffic, 26.4%, but growth was also strong on North American routes (+22.3%), European flights (+12.5%) and in domestic traffic (+10.5%).

https://company.finnair.com/en/media/all-releases/news?id=2839918

QuawerAir wrote:

Qatar Airways will not fly to ARN with A350.

Doha – Stockholm eff 01JUN18 787-8 continues to operate QR167/168, QR169/170, replacing previously planned A350-900XWB (Overall remains 2 daily 787)

Routesonline

Kikko19 wrote:

Nami wrote:

Finnair Traffic Performance in February 2018

Finnair became very healthy after some years of suffering. comparing to DY and SK we see a true winner (though SK is doing kind of well ).

Nami wrote:

Kikko19 wrote:

Nami wrote:

Finnair Traffic Performance in February 2018

Finnair became very healthy after some years of suffering. comparing to DY and SK we see a true winner (though SK is doing kind of well ).

It’s indeed nice to see AY (and SK) do well, but the cynic in me acknowledges that they’re mostly just moving along with the sector and wants to see how they will fare in the next inevitable downturn.

The opportunity to open ARN-PVG was sitting right in fromt of SAS, but they missed the opportunity.
Stockholm and Sweden being the powerhouse in the Nordics, it was just a question of time before someone opened this route.

kameleonten wrote:

The opportunity to open ARN-PVG was sitting right in fromt of SAS, but they missed the opportunity.
Stockholm and Sweden being the powerhouse in the Nordics, it was just a question of time before someone opened this route.

SAS' current longhaul strategy is one big story of missed opportunities...just like the Shanghai route, Delhi (from CPH + ARN) and Singapore (ARN) was theirs for the taking, but at least those are flown by *A partners. SAS could still easily open more destinations in Asia, increase frequencies on several existing longhaul routes and work much more with their feed/transfer traffic. I fly to Hong Kong with them on a monthly basis and there is very little transfer traffic on the flights, yet they are still almost always full. Instead of leasing a few 'planes to take advantage of these opportunities, they are waiting for the A-350s for ever and plan to use them for a 1:1 replacement of the 340s when they finally arrive, instead of capacity increase. Talk about missing the party...

Nami wrote:

Kikko19 wrote:

Nami wrote:

Finnair Traffic Performance in February 2018

Finnair became very healthy after some years of suffering. comparing to DY and SK we see a true winner (though SK is doing kind of well ).

It’s indeed nice to see AY (and SK) do well, but the cynic in me acknowledges that they’re mostly just moving along with the sector and wants to see how they will fare in the next inevitable downturn.

kanye wrote:

kameleonten wrote:

The opportunity to open ARN-PVG was sitting right in fromt of SAS, but they missed the opportunity.
Stockholm and Sweden being the powerhouse in the Nordics, it was just a question of time before someone opened this route.

SAS' current longhaul strategy is one big story of missed opportunities...just like the Shanghai route, Delhi (from CPH + ARN) and Singapore (ARN) was theirs for the taking, but at least those are flown by *A partners. SAS could still easily open more destinations in Asia, increase frequencies on several existing longhaul routes and work much more with their feed/transfer traffic. I fly to Hong Kong with them on a monthly basis and there is very little transfer traffic on the flights, yet they are still almost always full. Instead of leasing a few 'planes to take advantage of these opportunities, they are waiting for the A-350s for ever and plan to use them for a 1:1 replacement of the 340s when they finally arrive, instead of capacity increase. Talk about missing the party...

Actually SAS CEO talked about keeping some A340s for more leisure oriented long haul routes when the A350s arrive. It was in Norwegian media a few months ago.

kanye wrote:

Actually SAS CEO talked about keeping some A340s for more leisure oriented long haul routes when the A350s arrive. It was in Norwegian media a few months ago.

Bostrom wrote:

And if I'm not mistaken they own six of their A340s and has hinted at using them for trying out new markets. And there was a rumour somewhere that SAS is/was looking at leasing one or two A330s for new routes.

Bostrom wrote:

But I agree that there a bit too many missed opportunities and maybe a bit too much focus on CPH..

kameleonten wrote:

kanye wrote:

Actually SAS CEO talked about keeping some A340s for more leisure oriented long haul routes when the A350s arrive. It was in Norwegian media a few months ago.

Bostrom wrote:

And if I'm not mistaken they own six of their A340s and has hinted at using them for trying out new markets. And there was a rumour somewhere that SAS is/was looking at leasing one or two A330s for new routes.

I stand corrected - I had missed both of these news/rumours. However, still too little, too late.

2016: 20,387
2017: 108,361

I dare to say the passenger number will increase to 200,000-230,000 this year and thus DOH-HEL will probably be the 4th busiest route.

Doha – Copenhagen A350-900XWB to replace 787-8 on following service:
eff 01AUG18 QR163/164 (1 daily)
eff 01SEP18 QR161/162 (3 weekly), QR159/160 (4 weekly)

Routesonline

Addis Ababa – Stockholm Arlanda – Oslo 23MAR18 – 29MAY18 All 5 weekly flights served by 787-9, replacing -8/-9

Routesonline

YIMBY wrote:

Nami wrote:

Kikko19 wrote:

Finnair became very healthy after some years of suffering. comparing to DY and SK we see a true winner (though SK is doing kind of well ).

It’s indeed nice to see AY (and SK) do well, but the cynic in me acknowledges that they’re mostly just moving along with the sector and wants to see how they will fare in the next inevitable downturn.

That depends where the downturn comes from. SAS, Finnair and Norwegian are vulnerable to downturns, but very differently. That applies particularly to political instabilities, like

1) Russian overfly rights due to deterioration of East-West relations
2) Brexit making barriers and constraining non-UK ownership in UK
3) Escalating US-World trade war
4) Korean war (just a serious threat of it)
5) Intrinsic revolts in Thailand

But also natural disasters or diseases (remember SARS). Some instabilities may be much more detrimental to other airlines, and one airline could benefit some other's problems.

While Finnair has all its eggs in the same basket, Norwegian has the least buffer for problems, actually not at all, i.e. any setback may be end of it. SK may not be safe, but may get breathing space if Norwegian falls first. (And some other competing airlines may be even more vulnerable,)

Just my opinions.

SAS in the 3rd quarter of 2018 once again operates one-way charter service on Tokyo Narita – Bergen route, on board Airbus A340-300 aircraft. For 2018, planned charter flight is scheduled on following dates: 10JUL18 / 24JUL18 / 07AUG18 / 14AUG18 / 11SEP18.

SK984 NRT1110 – 1505BGO 343

Bostrom wrote:

kameleonten wrote:

kanye wrote:

Actually SAS CEO talked about keeping some A340s for more leisure oriented long haul routes when the A350s arrive. It was in Norwegian media a few months ago.

Bostrom wrote:

And if I'm not mistaken they own six of their A340s and has hinted at using them for trying out new markets. And there was a rumour somewhere that SAS is/was looking at leasing one or two A330s for new routes.

I stand corrected - I had missed both of these news/rumours. However, still too little, too late.

And, as far as I know, it is just rumours. However, I think it is a good idea for SAS to keep a couple of A340s. With no leasing fees to pay and fuel still not that expensive, it would be a good way to try new markets. OSL-ORD maybe?

YIMBY wrote:

Nami wrote:

It’s indeed nice to see AY (and SK) do well, but the cynic in me acknowledges that they’re mostly just moving along with the sector and wants to see how they will fare in the next inevitable downturn.

That depends where the downturn comes from. SAS, Finnair and Norwegian are vulnerable to downturns, but very differently. That applies particularly to political instabilities, like

1) Russian overfly rights due to deterioration of East-West relations
2) Brexit making barriers and constraining non-UK ownership in UK
3) Escalating US-World trade war
4) Korean war (just a serious threat of it)
5) Intrinsic revolts in Thailand

But also natural disasters or diseases (remember SARS).