Finnair opens route to Chongqing

First Airline to Fly Direct Between Europe and Inland Chinese Megacity

Helsinki, 9th May 2012 — Today Finnair begins flying direct to Chongqing, one of the
largest and fastest-growing cities in China. The new route is a logical next step in the
carrier’s strategy of offering the shortest connections between Asia and Europe via
Helsinki. Finnair is the first carrier to open a direct flight route between Europe and
Chongqing.

Situated on the edge of the Tibetan plateau, greater Chongqing is one of China’s four
province-level municipalities, and the only one located in inland China. With a total
population of 32 million residing in an area about the size of Austria, Chongqing’s urban
population is expected to double over the next five years.
“China is a key part of our Asia-Europe strategy,” says CEO Mika Vehviläinen. “Western China
is an important growth area, and the new route will strengthen our position in the growing
Asian markets. I want to thank the Chongqing authorities and the local airport for the
excellent cooperation and support for opening this new route. We believe Chongqing has the
potential of developing into a hub for travel between Western China and Europe, both for
business and leisure travellers.”

Chinese companies and many Western companies, especially in the electronics, automotive
and chemical industries, are currently expanding their operations in Chongqing, and business
travel and cargo prospects are promising. Chongqing Airport also has already opened 140
routes to more than 80 cities in China and Asia, and the airport is undergoing expansion.
When the expansion is complete in 2015, the airport will be capable of receiving 45 million
passengers per year.

Besides booming business activity, Chongqing offers much to see for tourists interested in
China’s history and nature. Visitors can enjoy historical buildings, temples, hot springs and
natural beauty, as well as the Dazu Rock Carvings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Chongqing
also provides convenient access to river cruises on the Jialing and Yangtze rivers, and the city
is well connected to Lhasa, Xian and Kunming.

Finnair is flying Airbus A330 and A340 aircraft on the route, which takes eight and a half
hours. In addition to four flights per week to Chongqing, in China Finnair flies daily to Beijing,
Shanghai and Hong Kong from Helsinki, the most geographically logical transfer point for
connecting with more than 50 destinations in Europe. This summer Finnair will operate 81
flights per week to 11 destinations in Asia.
Please visit on youtube to discover
Chongqing.