Finnair flies to 12 new European destinations in summer 2026, reintroduces direct flights to Lapland from three European cities for winter 2026

CFinnair continues to grow its European network and adds a total of 12 new destinations to its offering for summer 2026 from its Helsinki hub. Routes to Alta, Catania, Florence, Kos and Valencia were announced earlier this year, and Finnair now opens to sale flights to Kuressaare in Estonia, Luxembourg, Stavanger in Norway, Thessaloniki in Greece, Tirana in Albania, Turin in Italy and Umeå in Sweden.   

Finnair also responds to the demand for Lapland and starts direct flights from three European cities – Brussels, Paris, and Zurich – to Finnish Lapland in winter 2026. These direct flights complement Finnair’s broad offering of daily connections to Lapland via its Helsinki hub.   

With these additions, Finnair’s network for 2026 comprises of a total of 93 European destinations, 11 Asian destinations, seven North American destinations (including Toronto, which opens in summer 2026), and two destinations in the Middle East.  

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Originally published on 13 Nov

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P2X Solutions to supply hydrogen to Finland’s first eSAF pilot

P2X Solutions is supplying green hydrogen to Finland’s first synthetic kerosene production pilot, which manufactures emission-free aviation fuel, or eSAF. The pilot, led by technology company Liquid Sun, involves Finnair, Finavia, Fortum, and ABB.

Green hydrogen and biogenic carbon dioxide offer the opportunity to decarbonise sectors such as aviation, where direct electrification is not feasible. eSAF made from hydrogen can be introduced into existing aircraft using the current infrastructure without major changes. Hydrogen enables a rapid and large-scale transition to cleaner aviation.

“The production of eSAF is a huge opportunity for Finland. Across Europe, approximately 46 million tons of aviation fuel are used annually, and Finland has an excellent starting point for eSAF production,” says Herkko Plit, founder and CEO of P2X Solutions. “We have access to abundant emission-free electricity, clean water, biogenic carbon dioxide, and a growing amount of expertise in the production of new-generation fuels.”

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Originally published on 13 Nov

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New Impact Study: Maritime Travelers Bring Nearly One Billion Euros to the Helsinki Region’s Economy

A new study by the University of Helsinki shows that the Port of Helsinki is a major driver of both the economy and employment. The total annual economic impact of port operations amounts to €4.2 billion, generating over 39,000 jobs.

The Port of Helsinki serves as a key hub for both Finland’s international trade and passenger traffic. In 2024, 14 million tons of goods passed through the port – around 16 percent of Finland’s total foreign trade. Passenger volumes reached 9.5 million, accounting for 70 percent of all international passenger traffic through Finnish ports.

“The Port of Helsinki is not only a vital logistics hub serving the entire country and is also a significant contributor to the economy and job creation. Its influence can be seen widely across business performance and the city’s tax revenues,” says Ville Haapasaari, CEO of the Port of Helsinki.

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Originally published on 6 Nov

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Estonia strengthens Nordic ties with high-level Finland visit

For Estonia, there’s no neighbour as strategic and important as Finland — aside from the historical and cultural ties, the country leads in the ranking of trade and investment partners. Strengthening these ties is more important than ever.

Last week, Minister of Economy and Industry Erkki Keldo Erkki Keldo led a dynamic Estonian business delegation to Finland on November 3-4, bringing together leading tech companies and industry leaders to deepen cross-border partnerships and explore new opportunities in innovation and manufacturing.

The two-day visit centred on the Finnish-Estonian Business Forum “Smart Neighbours: Future of Industry,” where Ministers Keldo and Finland’s Sakari Puisto talked about the robust economic partnership between the two nations. The forum featured a standout panel discussion with industry heavyweights Risto Siilasmaa (WithSecure, F-Secure), Sten Tamkivi (Plural, Skaala), and Jussi Herlin (KONE), moderated by Kirke Maar from AI & Robotics Estonia.

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Originally published on 7 Nov

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Robotex and TiES sign partnership agreement to strengthen robotics education

The international robotics organisation Robotex International, registered in Estonia, and the Finnish science and technology society Tietotekniikan ja Elektroniikan Seura (TiES) have signed a partnership agreement to expand cooperation in robotics education and competitions both in Finland and internationally.

Under the agreement, Robotex Finland will be organized in cooperation with Amazing Robots, taking place on 4 November in Helsinki as part of the Teknologia 25 fair. The joint initiative aims to bring together young engineers, students and technology enthusiasts, offering them opportunities to develop their skills and contribute to shaping the future of robotics.

“This partnership is a great example of how two frontrunners in technology education organisations can join forces to inspire the next generation of innovators,” said Nathan Metsala, CEO of Robotex International.

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Originally published on 6 Nov

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EU funding supports preparatory work for the Baltic Sea Hydrogen Collector (BHC)

The Baltic Sea Hydrogen Collector (BHC) project has received €15.3 million in EU funding to support preparatory work for a future cross-border hydrogen infrastructure. Recognized as a Project of Common Interest (PCI), BHC aims to connect Finnish and German renewable hydrogen markets, contributing to Europe’s energy transition, market integration, and energy security.

The funding will be used for preparatory activities, including technical (pre-FEED), regulatory, and environmental assessments. These studies aim to explore the potential of BHC as a future cross-border hydrogen import corridor, supporting Europe’s long-term energy transition and energy security.

The planned Baltic Sea Hydrogen Collector (BHC) project, an offshore pipeline connecting Finnish and German renewable hydrogen markets, is receiving support from the European Union. Gasgrid Finland, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), and GASCADE Gastransport GmbH are grateful to receive a €15.3 million grant from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) programme. BHC is a Project of Common Interest (PCI), essential for Europe’s energy transition, energy security, and market integration.

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Originally published on 28 Oct

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EIB backs upgrades of Finland’s Olkiluoto nuclear power plant with €90 million in financing

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending Finnish energy supplier Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO) €90 million to upgrade two nuclear power units in Finland. The project involves reactors 1 and 2 of a power plant on the southwestern island of Olkiluoto and aims to ensure continued safe, low-carbon electricity generation in line with national and European Union rules.

TVO plans to update automation and control systems and replace components known as steam separators in the Olkiluoto 1 and 2 units. The upgrades, which will be implemented progressively over a multi-year timeline, are essential for maintaining high safety standards and operational reliability at the Olkiluoto power plant, which has a total of three units.

The planned improvements are required under Finnish and EU nuclear-safety legislation. They are part of TVO’s long-term investment programme to ensure safe and efficient operation of the Olkiluoto plant and follow other EIB-backed enhancements at the site in 2016.

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Originally published on 30 Oct

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Fingrid secures transmission capacity for growth in electricity consumption and new industrial investments – restrictions on new energy storage facility connections continued in southern Finland

There will be a shortage of grid connection capacity in southern Finland in the coming years. Fingrid’s objective is to ensure that there is sufficient connection capacity to meet the growth in electricity consumption in households, the service sector and industry, as well as new industrial investments that generate economic growth. As a result, Fingrid will continue to restrict the connection of new grid energy storage facilities in southern Finland until 2029. Location is of little importance for the commercial operation of energy storage facilities, and there are plenty of connection opportunities for grid energy storage elsewhere in Finland.

Last winter, Fingrid announced that no new electricity consumption and grid energy storage could be connected to the consumption-dominated southern Finland before the beginning of 2027. The restriction will now be continued for grid energy storage until 2029, when the new Hikiä-Toivila grid connection that will increase connection capacity in southern Finland is completed. This will ensure that there is sufficient connection capacity to meet the growth in electricity consumption in households, the service sector and industry, as well as new industrial investments that generate economic growth.

Fingrid is exploring new ways to connect grid energy storages to southern Finland earlier than currently announced, such as flexible connections.

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Originally published on 26 Sep

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The Hola 5G Oulu project wins the Light Reading Leading Lights Award

A prestigious recognition in the ‘Outstanding Use Case: Driving Digital Transformation’ category went to the consortium involved in the project, Oulu University Hospital, Pohde – The Wellbeing Services County of North Ostrobothnia, University of Oulu, and WICOAR Technologies.  

The Hola 5G Oulu project marks Europe’s first private 5G network deployed in a live hospital environment, tested in high-stakes scenarios including patient wards and surgical theatres. Installed at Oulu University Hospital (OYS), the network delivers ultra-reliable, interference-free connectivity across patient wards and surgical theatres, introducing a new era of smart, responsive care.

Key highlights:

  • Private 5G standalone network: Ensures seamless, secure connectivity, even during blackouts 
  • AR Smart Glasses: Deliver live patient data to clinicians in surgical theatres and wards 
  • Voice Communication Headsets: Enable instant coordination across hospital wings 
  • Wing-to-Wing Coverage: Eliminates fragmented communication and boosts operational efficiency 

This project is funded by the European Union.

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Originally published on 24 Sep

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