31 New Routes: How Finavia Is Rewiring Winter Travel to the Arctic

October 25, 2026, marks the start of a winter season that looks nothing like the ones before it. Finavia, the body managing Finnish airports, has just confirmed a jump of 31 new routes compared to last year. This is not a minor tweak to the schedule. It is a fundamental change in how the rest of the world links up with northern Finland.

The timetable runs until March 27, 2027, and it flips the usual winter travel script on its head. Most destinations cut back their offerings when the cold sets in, but Finland is doing the opposite. The network now covers 163 international scheduled connections to 103 airports abroad. For anyone tired of connecting through crowded hubs to reach the Arctic Circle, the options have finally opened up.

Lapland Becomes the Hub of Northern Travel

Rovaniemi is leading the charge, securing the biggest route network of any Lapland airport this winter. At peak, the airport will offer direct links to 36 international destinations. This volume of service signals that the region has moved past being a niche spot for adventure seekers. It is becoming a standard choice for a much wider audience.

The new scheduled services are specific and strategically placed. Passengers can now fly direct from London Gatwick via BA Euroflyer, from Newcastle on easyJet, from Munich with Lufthansa, and from Prague with Eurowings. These additions are not random. They show a clear effort to capture demand from the United Kingdom and Central Europe, the two strongest markets for winter tourism in the area.

More Options for Kittilä and Kemi-Tornio

The expansion goes beyond the capital of Lapland. Kittilä’s winter network will grow to 15 routes, adding new connections from Amsterdam via Transavia Netherlands and Brussels with Brussels Airlines. Travelers from northern England also gain new options, as easyJet adds services from Liverpool and London Luton. This broadens the choice for those seeking a ski holiday or a winter experience without the hassle of complex layovers.

Further north, the changes are equally significant. Brussels Airlines is launching its first direct service between Brussels and Kemi-Tornio, creating a new gateway to the far north. Meanwhile, Discover Airlines is adding a route between Munich and Ivalo. These new links make the remote corners of Finland far more accessible, challenging the old idea that the Arctic is hard to reach.

Kuusamo and the Rise of AirBaltic

Kuusamo, known for its vast wilderness and skiing, is also seeing a major boost. The airport will be served by nine routes this winter, including new services from airBaltic out of Berlin, London Gatwick, and Riga. There are also selected flights from Hamburg and Manchester, plus a new Eurowings service from Berlin. This variety of carriers gives travelers more flexibility in timing and pricing.

Having multiple airlines on the same route is good for competition. It drives better service and more frequent flights. Finnair will remain the airline operating the most flights to Lapland’s airports, but the growing presence of European low-cost and full-service carriers is changing the dynamic. It is no longer just about flying to Helsinki first. You can now fly directly to the mountains.

Helsinki Expands Its Long Haul Reach

While Lapland gets the headlines for winter sports, Helsinki Airport is making significant moves to strengthen its position as a global hub. The winter schedule will include daily services to Doha and Dubai. These are not just short-haul flights. They are gateways to two of the world’s major Middle Eastern hubs, offering onward connections to Asia, Africa, and beyond.

Qatar Airways has returned to the Doha-Helsinki route, a move that signals confidence in the long-haul market. For travelers based in Europe, this makes it easier to connect to distant destinations without the hassle of a long layover in a less convenient city. It is a subtle but important shift that reinforces Helsinki’s status as a key node in the global air network.

What This Means for Your Winter Plans

The driving force behind these changes is clear. Petri Vuori, Finavia’s Senior Vice President for Route Development, noted that the growing interest among airlines reflects confidence in the development of demand for travel to Finland. He specifically pointed to strong demand from Central Europe and the United Kingdom. This is not a speculative move. It is a response to real, proven passenger numbers.

For you, the traveler, this means more choice and potentially better deals. With 31 new routes, the competition is heating up. Whether you are looking for a snowmobile ride in Ivalo, a ski week in Kittilä, or a cultural break in Helsinki, the options are more direct and more numerous than they have been in years. The Arctic is no longer a distant dream. It is a direct flight away.