Finnair to launch direct flights to Guangzhou

Finnair is to launch direct flights from Helsinki to Guangzhou (Canton) in China on September 2, 2005. Finnair will fly to the city three times a week.

"Launching the Guangzhou route is a natural continuation of our Asian strategy. Finnair has been systematically moving the focus of its long-haul traffic to Asia since the year 2000. Guangzhou is already our fourth destination in China in addition to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong," says Finnair VP, Sales in Europe and Asia, Hannu Sundberg.

Guangzhou is located in the economically significant Guangdong Province through which passes a third of Chinese exports. Guangzhou is also part of the Pearl River Delta (PRD) economic and cultural powerhouse, which also includes Hong Kong and Macao. With a population of some 40 million, the PRD is one of the largest and fastest developing industrial areas in the world.

The ultramodern Guangzhou airport opened this year and is the first in China to offer an especially built transit area for passengers. The airport has excellent connections to other parts of mainland China as well as Hong Kong and Macao.

Finnair will fly to Guangzhou from Helsinki on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays with flights from Guangzhou to Helsinki on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Flight time between the two cities is approximately ten hours.

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