Travel & LeisureFinnair turns Asia focus to megacities due to Ukraine war
Russian airspace closure clips airline as it pins hopes on hubs like Shanghai
Finnair Vice President Jenni Suomela tells Nikkei Asia that the airline's South Korean business is recovering faster than its Japan operations. (Photo by Rhyannon Bartlett-Imadegawa)
RHYANNON BARTLETT-IMADEGAWA, Nikkei staff writer
September 19, 2023 14:10 JST
HELSINKI -- Airlines have battled through a terrible time over the past few years as the COVID pandemic upended travel and lockdowns grounded fleets. But few have endured as much as Finnair, which continues to face a closure of airspace over Russia after its neighbor invaded Ukraine, cutting off a main route for the airline and choking business from its key Asian markets.