Finnair has always been a trailblazer for winter flying. Since 1928, this involved operating on sea ice with planes that had been fitted with skis. Since those days, Finnair has distinguished itself as an expert in on-ground icing and as a developer of sensors and de-icing fluids.

Despite immense technological advances, Mother Nature does not make things easy during the winter season as we have seen in recent hours with Heathrow diverting aircrafts to land in Frankfurt.

Helsinki’s snow operations close runways for just 10 minutes out of every full hour, even in heavy snowstorms. The airport vehicles used are fitted with snow-ploughs, brushes, blowers and friction meters as well as a range of other equipment. Driving in formation at 60kmph, it does not take them long to clear a runway. Both Finnair and Finavia, the service provider, have managed this side of the operations impeccably over the last decade.

The most significant risk factor for winter aviation is posed by airports. In recent years key international airports, including Amsterdam, Paris and especially London and Frankfurt, have been caught off-guard by significant snowfall and been forced to close runways following minor snow cover amounting to just 10cm, which can equate to 7,000 lorry loads of snow. This has lead to the passengers suffering financial losses and inconvenience.

Flying to Europe with Finnair gives passengers the confidence of a prompt and highly efficient service, with safety being paramount.