Brussels hub opens, key to Finnair’s strategy

   Finnair Cargo has started operations from its new cargo hub in Brussels, its second in Europe, with a freighter flight from New York.
   According to officials, the hub will play a central role in the growth of Finnair Cargo.
   “The new freighter schedule highlights the importance of Continental Europe in our revised strategy for Finnair Cargo,” Finnair’s managing director, Juha Järvinen, said in a statement. “With Finnair Group’s vision of doubling our Asian turnover by 2020, 11 new A350 aircraft arriving into our long-haul fleet as of 2015, and our strong network of 14 Asian destinations already in service by summer 2013, we will extend our home market to Continental Europe, which will enable faster improved delivery through our Helsinki and Brussels hubs.”
   In March, cargo activity at Finnar fell by 6.6 percent, year over year, on a 1.6-percent capacity decline. The cargo load factor fell 4 points to 65.9 percent. For the first three months of 2013, cargo traffic, year over year, has fallen by 4.6 percent. Domestic, Asia and European tonnage levels have all decreased, with activity across the North Atlantic showing slight gains. – Jon Ross