Finnair is considering adding one to two new international routes next year from its Helsinki hub to destinations it currently serves such as Japan, according to CEO Pekka Vauramo.
The Finnish carrier currently flies to three Japanese cities — Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. Vauramo said in an interview Monday that major events such as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics "will be good for the traveling industry."
"If there is a possibility, we would like to fly to Haneda," he said, referring to one of the two airports that serve greater Tokyo. The airline already flies to Narita airport. "We have to get the slot but we will follow the situation," he said.
While noting that no decision about new routes had been made, he said: "We are looking at all countries we fly." Japan is one of the potential destinations "just as many places like China, South Korea, etc."
Vauramo said the carrier aimed to introduce the A350, which French aircraft manufacturer Airbus S.A.S. is set to start delivering in September, on a Japanese route by 2017.
Finnair's Japanese partner, Japan Airlines, is planning to start flying the A350 plane in 2019.