In May, Finnair carried 82,800 passengers, which was 210.4% more than in May 2020. The COVID-19 impact was clearly visible already then as Finnair operated only a minimum network due to strict and extensive travel restrictions. The number of passengers in May 2021 was 2.3% more than in April 2021 (month-on-month figures are not fully comparable as there is one day less in April compared to May).
The COVID-19 impact, including the exceptionally strict travel restrictions imposed by several countries, still affected all passenger traffic figures. It was visible especially in the North Atlantic and Asian figures. The overall capacity measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK) increased in May by 318.3% year-on-year but decreased by 0.6% month-on-month. Finnair operated 65 daily flights (cargo-only included) on average which was 80.6% more than in May 2020 but 3.0% less than in April 2021. The differences between capacity figures compared to May 2020 are explained by the longer average stage length of operated flights and by the larger gauge of operated aircraft. Finnair's traffic measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPKs) increased by 305.9% year-on-year and by 9.1% month-on-month. The Passenger Load Factor (PLF) decreased by 0.9% points to 29.0% year-on-year but increased by 2.6% points month-on-month.
The ASK increase in Asian as well as in North Atlantic traffic was 100.0% year-on-year as there were no related passenger flights in May 2020. In European traffic, the ASKs were up by 67.6%. The ASKs in domestic traffic increased by 141.7%.
RPKs increased in Asian and North Atlantic traffic by 100.0% year-on-year, in European traffic by 193.8% and in domestic traffic by 257.8%.
The PLF was 11.8% in Asian traffic but it was supported by the strong cargo operations and a high cargo load factor. The PLF was 22.7% in North Atlantic traffic, 49.6% in European traffic and 69.9% in domestic traffic.
Passenger numbers increased in Asian and North Atlantic traffic by 100.0% year-on-year, in European traffic by 179.2% and in domestic traffic by 239.6%.
In May, available scheduled cargo tonne kilometres increased by 2,736.6% year-on-year (decreased by 4.6% month-on-month) and revenue scheduled cargo tonne kilometres increased by 6,145.3% (decreased by 7.7% month-on-month), both due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on scheduled flights especially Asian and North Atlantic traffic in May 2020. However, cargo related available tonne kilometres increased only by 43.4% year-on-year (decreased by 15.3% month-on-month) and revenue tonne kilometres increased by 62.3% (decreased by 16.2% 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 1.4% year-on-year and by 19.0% month-on-month. The total cargo tonnes increased by 53.6% year-on-year but decreased by 14.6% month-on-month. Demand for the cargo capacity remained strong especially in Asian traffic. As a result, the cargo load factor was higher than in the corresponding period of 2020.
In May, 94.9% of all Finnair flights arrived on schedule (96.5%).