David Kaminski-Morrow / Paris
Oneworld member Finnair’s new chief executive, Jukka Hienonen, has no plans to review the airline’s decision to acquire Airbus A350 aircraft, despite the uncertainty about the twin-jet programme.
Finnair is the only Oneworld carrier to have chosen to take the A350, after placing an order for nine of the type plus four options.
Speaking to ATI during a Oneworld event in Paris, Hienonen said that the airline is “pretty calm with the issue” of potentially extensive changes to the aircraft.
While the timetable for introduction “might be a discussion subject”, he states that Finnair is a long-term customer of Airbus and that the carrier has confidence in the airframer.
“If Airbus has to redesign it, then it will only be a better aircraft,” says Hienonen, pointing out that Finnair has not been among those pressing for modifications.
“We bought the aircraft as it was. The specification has not been changed because of our desires.”
Finnair’s short-haul fleet includes several Airbus A320 family aircraft and the carrier is preparing to introduce Airbus A340s to supplement its long-haul Boeing MD-11s.
Source: Airline Business
