Finnair to start Helsinki-Mumbai 5-day week flight

Finland-based Finnair said on Tuesday it will start five-day a week direct flight to Helsinki from Mumbai from June 27.

"Our Indian business is growing enoromously. Sensing the need, we plan to quadruple our flights from India in just a span of eight months since commencement of operations. That precisely encouraged us to start operations from Mumbai," Finnair's Senior Vice President (Corporate Communications) Christer Haglund told reporters in Mumbai.

Finnair had launched its Indian operation in 2006 with three-day a week direct flight to Helsinki from Delhi, which was made a daily only last month.

Asked whether the carrier would start direct flights to Helsinki from any other Indian destination, Haglund said it was definitely on the company's agenda, but no decision has been taken yet.

The Mumbai-Helsinki flight, an Airbus 340, would have 265 seats in economy class and 30 seats in business class and take eight hours time.

Passengers would be served Indian delicacies on-board prepared by Indian chefs and the flight would also have Indian cabin crew, he said.