In line with the 4Excellence strategy with focus on the Nordic region, SAS further strengthens its long term position in Finland. In 2012, Blue1 plans to open a large number of new nonstop routes from Finland directly to Scandinavia to complement SAS' and Star Alliance's route networks and with that strengthen SAS network at Stockholm Arlanda and Copenhagen Kastrup.

Routes to Copenhagen are being planned from for example Kittila, Kuopio, Lappeenranta, Oulu, Turku and Vaasa as well as to Stockholm from Kokkola, Oulu and Pori.

Blue1's CEO Stefan Wentjarvi comments: "The growth we are undertaking to Copenhagen and Stockholm is part of the strategy that was decided earlier this year when SAS informed about the phase out of the remaining five Avro RJ-85 aircraft and the rationalization of the fleet to Boeing 717. The change means that Blue1 can continue to reduce the unit cost and further improve its competitiveness."

"The new non-stop routes from Finland to Copenhagen and Stockholm will provide both business and leisure passengers with a qualitative and cost efficient product and a new way to travel with excellent new connections that save time and money for passengers", says Wentjarvi.

Copenhagen's airport Kastrup is the Nordic region's largest airport with over 21 million passengers annually with connections to 140 destinations across the world. Stockholm's airport Arlanda, with 17 million passengers, offers connections to over 100 destinations across the world.

Blue1 already flies to Copenhagen from both Helsinki and Tampere and to Stockholm from Helsinki, Tampere, Vaasa and Turku.