Extract from press release 15 October 2007

Finnair's vision 2017: Most desirable intercontinental airline in the Northern Hemisphere

Finnair has approved the company's new long-term vision according to which Finnair aims to become the airline of choice for quality and environmentally conscious air travellers in intercontinental travel in the Northern Hemisphere. For its shareholders, Finnair aims to be an attractive investment. Finnair will pursue its growth strategy based on increasing demand in the traffic between Europe and Asia and in the future also in the traffic between North America and Asia as well.

Finnair will pursue its growth strategy by developing its network and the quality of its operations, based on an efficient cost base. Finnair's network will be able to benefit from the expansion of Helsinki-Vantaa Airport and its ideal location along a significant number of long haul flight paths. In addition, Finnair's and Finland's image represent strengths in a changing global environment.

"We want to be a reliable and safe alternative in an uncertain world. We will take advantage of Helsinki's geographical location even more extensively. In years to come, the airspace and terminal facilities of large European airports are likely to become increasingly congested while Helsinki-Vantaa Airport has plenty of room for construction and possibilities for development," says Finnair President and CEO Jukka Hienonen.

Whole press release:

http://www.finnairgroup.com/group/group_11_2_1.html?&Id=1192457864.html

Firstly, I never believe this vision will come true if AY keeps lowering its standards in longhaul J class as has been the case lately. The food gets worse and worse and the seat is nothing to write home about, especially comparing with Asian airlines, which are indeed a competitor to AY since their strategy lies in Europe-Asia flights. And with BA in the northern hemisphere, AY has quite a lot of work to do...

Secondly, I'm interested in this North America - India idea. Could this mean more flights to the US east coast or even scheduled services to Canada? This would be great. To make this strategy work, however, they should definitely do something about their schedules (no 10+ hour layovers in HEL...).

Yep, I fail to see passenger comfort and dedicated service mentioned but briefly anywhere in this "vision". On the contrary,there is general babble about "enviromenally friendly" policies which are a convenient way to hide servide and comfort cutbacks.

Maybe in his dreams Mr.Hienonen sees Finnair as an longhaul LCC a la KLM concentrating on the downmarket segment Asia - Europe while AF, BA, LH, VS and the Asian competition handle the premium biz pax.

I almost feel AY could do with a dose of Tyler (Brule) style brainstorming.

Secondly, I'm interested in this North America - India idea. Could this mean more flights to the US east coast or even scheduled services to Canada? They keep touting this in the Indian media...well, I don't mind doing the SQ21/22 A345 SIN-EWR-SIN anytime!

Secondly, I'm interested in this North America - India idea. Could this mean more flights to the US east coast or even scheduled services to Canada? This would be great. To make this strategy work, however, they should definitely do something about their schedules (no 10+ hour layovers in HEL...).

reacting a bit late to this, but todays Q3 results (http://www.finnairgroup.com/group/group_11_1_1.html?&Id=hex_200711010000275437.html) got me thinking about the results versus their 2017 strategy (which of course they have only just released, so perhaps not fair to compare today with recently released strategy)

This reminded me of another topic that was recently discussed on the aa board, perhaps even here, which may help to explain some of the NA -> Asia NA-> India statements..

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=717727