Finnair Reports a Modest Rise in Passenger Traffic for January 2024 Despite Weather Challenges
Finnair‘s latest traffic data reveals a slight 0.4% increase in passengers this January compared to last year, totaling 819,800 travelers. This growth comes even though January is usually a less busy month for air travel.
The airline saw a 5.6% rise in its total seat capacity, including a 4.0% boost with wet lease contracts. Despite flying more seats, Finnair’s flight occupancy dropped by 3.0 percentage points to 69.2%.
Finnair Passenger Demand By Region
Finnair’s flights to Asia witnessed a 13.1% capacity jump, thanks to more flights to Japan and South Korea. However, the North Atlantic routes saw a 5.8% decrease in seats available. European routes enjoyed a 5.9% increase in capacity, while Middle Eastern flights faced a 7.3% drop due to canceled flights to Israel. Domestically, capacity inched up by 0.4%.
Revenue from paying customers rose by 1.3% but with varied results across regions. Asia’s revenue grew by 3.0%, Europe’s by 2.2%, the Middle East saw a drop of 0.9%, and North Atlantic revenue decreased by 3.7%. Domestic revenue dropped by 2.4%.
The load factor, which measures flight occupancy, stood at 68.5% for Asian flights, 67.3% for North Atlantic, and 68.9% for European routes. Middle Eastern flights had the highest occupancy at 79.4%, while domestic flights had the lowest at 63.9%.
More passengers flew to Asia and Europe, increasing 0.6% and 3.4%, respectively. However, the North Atlantic experienced a 4.0% drop, the Middle East a 2.7% fall, and domestic flights a decrease of 5.2%.
Cargo Demand Rose 17.5%, Finnair Reports
Cargo transport increased by 17.5% in total tons carried and a 16.3% increase in revenue-generating cargo kilometers due largely to enhanced capacity on Asian and European routes.
January’s severe weather took a toll on punctuality, with only 66.2% of flights arriving on time, starkly contrasting to the 81.2% from last year.
Look for Finnair’s upcoming traffic statistics for February 2024, set to release on March 7, 2024.
Finnair Traffic Table January 2024
| Finnair Traffic Performance January 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | % Change | YTD | % Change | |
| Total traffic | ||||
| Passengers 1,000 | 819.8 | 0.4 | 819.8 | 0.4 |
| Revenue passenger kilometers mill | 3,055.6 | 5.6 | 3,055.6 | 5.6 |
| Available tonne kilometers mill | 2,114.6 | 1.3 | 2,114.6 | 1.3 |
| Passenger load factor % | 69.2 | – 3.0p | 69.2 | – 3.0p |
| Cargo tonnes total | 11,114.7 | 17.5 | 11,114.7 | 17.5 |
| Revenue tonne kilometers mill | 452.3 | 9.5 | 452.3 | 9.5 |
| Available seat kilometers incl. wet lease out mill | 257.2 | 4.9 | 257.2 | 4.9 |
| Available seat kilometers mill | 3,266.3 | 4.0 | 3,266.3 | 4.0 |
| Asia | ||||
| Passengers 1,000 | 109.1 | 0.6 | 109.1 | 0.6 |
| Revenue passenger kilometers mill | 1,218.7 | 13.1 | 1,218.7 | 13.1 |
| Available seat kilometers mill | 834.7 | 3.0 | 834.7 | 3.0 |
| Passenger load factor % | 68.5 | – 6.7p | 68.5 | – 6.7p |
| Europe | ||||
| Passengers 1,000 | 462.7 | 3.4 | 462.7 | 3.4 |
| Available seat kilometers mill | 1,083.3 | 5.9 | 1,083.3 | 5.9 |
| Revenue passenger kilometres mill | 746.7 | 2.2 | 746.7 | 2.2 |
| Passenger load factor % | 68.9 | – 2.5p | 68.9 | – 2.5p |
| North Atlantic | ||||
| Passengers 1,000 | 26.2 | – 4.0 | 26.2 | – 4.0 |
| Revenue passenger kilometers mill | 304.2 | – 5.8 | 304.2 | – 5.8 |
| Available seat kilometers mill | 204.8 | – 3.7 | 204.8 | – 3.7 |
| Passenger load factor % | 67.3 | 1.5p | 67.3 | 1.5p |
| Middle East | ||||
| Passengers 1,000 | 46.5 | – 2.7 | 46.5 | – 2.7 |
| Revenue passenger kilometers mill | 265.5 | – 7.3 | 265.5 | – 7.3 |
| Available seat kilometers mill | 210.9 | – 0.9 | 210.9 | – 0.9 |
| Passenger load factor % | 79.4 | 5.1p | 79.4 | 5.1p |
| Domestic | ||||
| Passengers 1,000 | 175.2 | – 5.2 | 175.2 | – 5.2 |
| Revenue passenger kilometers mill | 183.9 | 0.4 | 183.9 | 0.4 |
| Revenue cargo tonne kilometers mill | 117.6 | – 2.4 | 117.6 | – 2.4 |
| Passenger load factor % | 63.9 | – 1.9p | 63.9 | – 1.9p |
| Cargo traffic | ||||
| – Europe tonnes | 1,882.9 | 47.4 | 1,882.9 | 47.4 |
| – North Atlantic tonnes | 1,032.8 | – 21.3 | 1,032.8 | – 21.3 |
| – Middle East tonnes | 1,912.9 | 5.3 | 1,912.9 | 5.3 |
| – Asia tonnes | 6,239.7 | 25.0 | 6,239.7 | 25.0 |
| – Domestic tonnes | 23.6 | – 24.8 | 23.6 | – 24.8 |
| – Cargo flights tonnes* | 22.8 | – 16.3 | 22.8 | – 16.3 |
| Cargo traffic tonnes total | 11,114.7 | 17.5 | 11,114.7 | 17.5 |
| Revenue cargo tonne kilometres mill | 68.1 | 16.3 | 68.1 | 16.3 |
| ** Including purchased traffic* |
List of Terms
- Change %: Change compared to the figures of the respective periods in the previous year (p = points, N/A = not available).
- Available seat kilometers (ASK): Total seats available multiplied by kilometers flown.
- Revenue passenger kilometers (RPK): Number of revenue passengers carried multiplied by kilometers flown.
- Passenger load factor: Share of revenue passenger kilometers of available seat kilometers.
- Available tonne kilometers (ATK): Number of tonnes of capacity for carriage of passengers, cargo, and mail multiplied by kilometers flown.
- Revenue tonne kilometers (RTK): Total revenue load consisting of passengers, cargo, and mail multiplied by kilometers flown.
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