Finnair has launched its first own service to Australia, inaugurating a daily, year-round Helsinki–Bangkok–Melbourne route with an Airbus A350-900. The inaugural flight departed Helsinki during the night of 24–25 October and arrived in Melbourne on 26 October under flight numbers AY145 and AY146, giving the Finnish carrier its first Australian operation under its own brand and code.
Passengers remain on the same aircraft in Bangkok but must leave the cabin for a security check and crew change before reboarding. The Bangkok–Melbourne sector is also available separately under fifth-freedom rights, opening a direct Finnair option between Thailand and Australia.
Finnair selected Melbourne after recording stronger ticket sales to the city than to any other Australian destination without operating its own flights. Cargo demand was also a factor. The route provides connections through Helsinki to about 90 European destinations, including Northern Europe and Finnish Lapland.
Finnair is the first European Union airline to operate its own aircraft and code to Australia. British Airways and Turkish Airlines also connect Europe with Australia, but neither is an EU carrier. Melbourne Airport estimates that the new daily service could contribute about A$190 million annually to Victoria’s economy. Finnair has also reported stronger demand on Asian routes since the start of the Iran conflict, as some travellers seek alternatives to Middle Eastern connections.