Finnair’s passenger numbers are up 5.4% more in December 2023 than in December 2022. The airline also reported an 8.2% increase in December 2023 when in comparison to the month prior. However, with November having one day less than December, the numbers aren’t wholly comparable, the airline notes.
The improvements were largely attributed to the pandemic’s fading impact on the industry. However, the negative impact of the Russian airspace closure, especially on Asian passenger numbers, still had a visible effect on December 2023 figures.
The overall capacity, measured in available seat kilometres, increased in December by 7.8% year on year and by 8.5% month on month. Finnair traffic, measured in revenue passenger kilometres, increased by 5.1% year on year and by 8.4% month on month. Its passenger load factor declined by 1.8% points year on year and by 0.1% points month on month to 70.9%.
Many cargo figures increased year on year in December due to Qatar Airways cooperation as well as increased Asian and European capacity. Available cargo tonne kilometres increased by 14.4% and revenue cargo tonne kilometres by 15.8% year on year. The total cargo tonnes increased by 16.5% year on year and by 3.6% month on month.
In December, 64.7% of all Finnair flights arrived on schedule. On-time performance was mainly impacted by severe weather conditions.