Latvian airline AirBaltic has announced the launch of new direct flights from five European cities to Kuusamo in Finnish Lapland, starting from December 2026. This move is part of the airline's expansion of its winter schedule for 2026-2027, which will include new flights from London, Manchester, Berlin, Hamburg, and Riga, the airline's home city.
In a statement, Mantas Verbliuskas, Vice President of Network Development at AirBaltic, confirmed that the Ruka-Kuusamo area has become a growing winter destination offering excellent skiing opportunities and a unique natural environment. He noted that these new flights will provide additional options for the airline's customers from Finland, Latvia, Germany, and the United Kingdom to plan their winter holidays.
Details of the New Flights
The flights from Manchester and London Gatwick will operate on Sundays from December 13, 2026, to March 28, 2027. These flights will utilize A220-300 aircraft, capable of carrying up to 148 passengers per flight. Additionally, one aircraft will be stationed at Kuusamo Airport overnight, allowing the airline to provide several direct connections between this Lapland destination and other European cities. Furthermore, additional services will be available on weekends.
It is noteworthy that AirBaltic has already launched direct flights from Düsseldorf, Zurich, and Frankfurt to Kuusamo, facilitating access to this exciting winter destination.
Background & Context
The Ruka-Kuusamo area is considered one of the most popular winter destinations in Finland, having been awarded the title of International Destination of the Year 2025 at the Scandinavian Outdoor Award Travel presented at ITB Berlin last March. The area's beauty includes stunning skiing landscapes, along with three national parks, providing opportunities for snowshoeing, ice fishing in winter, as well as canoeing and bear watching in summer.
This region is also an ideal spot for viewing the Northern Lights, where visitors can learn about local reindeer herding or participate in music and light festivals. For those seeking relaxation, they can experience traditional Finnish saunas.
Impact & Consequences
This initiative highlights the increasing popularity of the Ruka-Kuusamo area as a winter destination, with the new flights expected to attract around 11,840 foreign tourists to the region. This expansion of the flight network also reflects the growing trend towards winter tourism in Finland, providing new economic opportunities for the area.
Moreover, these direct flights will enhance tourists' ability to explore diverse winter activities, contributing to the development of sustainable tourism in the region and reinforcing its status as a major tourist destination in Europe.
Regional Significance
For Arab visitors, these new flights offer a unique opportunity to explore the beauty of Finnish nature in winter, enhancing the available winter tourism options. Arab travelers can take advantage of these direct flights to enjoy new experiences such as skiing and viewing the Northern Lights, adding a new dimension to their winter holidays.
In conclusion, this move by AirBaltic reflects global trends towards enhancing winter tourism, providing new opportunities for travelers from around the world, including the Arab region.