In June 2021, Finnair carried 127,900 passengers, which was 131.5% more than in June 2020. The COVID-19 impact was already clearly visible then as Finnair only operated a minimum network due to strict and extensive travel restrictions. The number of passengers in June 2021 was 54.5% more than in May 2021 (month-on-month figures are not fully comparable as there is one fewer day in June).
The COVID-19 impact, including the strict travel restrictions imposed by several countries, still affected all passenger traffic figures. It was particularly visible in the North Atlantic and Asian figures. The overall capacity measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK) increased in June by 359.2% year-on-year and by 44.6% month-on-month. Finnair operated 78 daily flights (cargo-only included) on average, which was 59.2% more than in June 2020 and 20.0% more than in May 2021. The differences between capacity figures compared to June 2020 are explained by the longer average stage length of flights operated and by the larger gauge of aircraft operated. Finnair's traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPKs), increased by 263.6% year-on-year and by 73.0% month-on-month. The Passenger Load Factor (PLF) decreased by 9.1% points to 34.7% year-on-year but increased by 5.7% points month-on-month.
The ASK increase in Asian traffic was 100.0% year-on-year as there were no comparable passenger flights in June 2020. In North Atlantic traffic, the ASKs increased by 5,243.3%: there was only a single passenger flight in June 2020, and the Chicago and Los Angeles routes were re-opened in June 2021, complementing the New York route, which was re-opened in March 2021. In European traffic, the ASKs were up by 85.7%. The ASKs in domestic traffic increased by 116.3%.
RPKs increased in Asian traffic by 100.0% year-on-year, in North Atlantic traffic by 16,780.5%, in European traffic by 156.8% and in domestic traffic by 135.7%.
The PLF was 14.4% in Asian traffic but it was supported by the strong cargo operations and a high cargo load factor. The PLF was 25.5% in North Atlantic traffic, 57.9% in European traffic and 73.1% in domestic traffic.
Passenger numbers increased in Asian traffic by 100.0% year-on-year, in North Atlantic traffic by 15,154.2%, in European traffic by 118.4% and in domestic traffic by 110.9%.
In June, available scheduled cargo tonne kilometres increased by 3,014.5% year-on-year (increased by 38.9% month-on-month) and revenue scheduled cargo tonne kilometres increased by 4,342.9% (increased by 36.6% month-on-month), both due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on scheduled flights especially in Asian and North Atlantic traffic in June 2020. However, cargo related available tonne kilometres increased only by 64.4% year-on-year (decreased by 5.5% month-on-month) and revenue tonne kilometres increased by 64.8% (decreased by 6.7% month-on-month) as they both also include the cargo-only flights operated mainly between Europe and Asia as well as Europe and North America. Cargo-only tonnes were down by 28.6% year-on-year and by 34.6% month-on-month. The total cargo tonnes increased by 52.2% year-on-year but decreased by 8.1% month-on-month. Demand for the cargo capacity remained strong especially in Asian traffic. As a result, the cargo load factor remained high.
In June, 87.9% of all Finnair flights arrived on schedule (96.6%).