UK travellers heading to Finnish Lapland this winter will find more options than ever before, as two carriers expand their networks to the Ruka-Kuusamo region. airBaltic is launching direct flights from London Gatwick and Manchester to Kuusamo Airport, while Finnair is increasing its connections from London, Manchester, and Edinburgh via Helsinki.
The new services cut travel times significantly, with airBaltic's direct flights taking just over three hours. Finnair's enhanced schedule offers up to seven days a week departures from three UK gateways, with journey times as short as 5 hours 20 minutes. This marks a major step up in frequency and convenience for British skiers and winter holidaymakers.
Strong UK demand drives capacity boost
Janne-Juhani Haarma, CEO of Ruka-Kuusamo Tourist Association, highlighted the importance of the UK market. "UK travellers have been our most important international guests for 25 years and we are very happy to be able to offer them better connections to our beautiful destination Ruka-Kuusamo," he said.
The region is known for its winter sports, Northern Lights viewing, and authentic Finnish experiences. Attractions include Pohjolan Pirtti in Vuotunki, where visitors can book private Santa's Secret Cottage visits, traditional sauna evenings, and wild cuisine dinners.
Anssi Partanen, Market Director Europe at Finnair, noted the year-round appeal of Kuusamo. "Kuusamo is a popular destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers throughout the year," he said, pointing to the region's forests, lakes, and national parks.
Mantas Vrubliauskas, VP Network Management at airBaltic, added: "We are pleased to offer direct flights connecting the UK to Kuusamo, further strengthening connectivity between Britain and Northern Finland."
The expanded air links come as Finnish Lapland continues to attract international visitors seeking winter experiences. The region has seen growing demand from UK travellers, who value the combination of accessible flights and pristine natural surroundings.
For travel agents and tour operators, the new capacity opens up opportunities to package Ruka-Kuusamo as a short-break destination, particularly for families and couples looking for a festive season getaway. The direct airBaltic flights operate on selected dates, while Finnair's daily services provide flexibility for those planning longer stays.
Ruka-Kuusamo is also positioning itself as a year-round destination, with summer activities such as hiking, fishing, and canoeing. The improved connectivity is expected to support both winter and summer tourism, benefiting local hotels, restaurants, and activity providers.
As the travel industry increasingly focuses on sustainable and accessible winter destinations, the new UK-Finland routes are a timely addition. For more on how rail travel is evolving for European travellers, see our recent coverage of Interrail's brand unification.
Finnair's expansion from Delhi to Helsinki has also opened up Lapland to Indian travellers, as reported in our earlier story on autumn Lapland access from India. The airline's growing network is making Finnish destinations more accessible to a global audience.
With the new flights, UK travellers can now explore the enchanting landscapes and cultural experiences of Finnish Lapland with greater ease. The combination of airBaltic's direct services and Finnair's frequent connections ensures that Ruka-Kuusamo is within reach for a wide range of travellers.
