This was just in: Finnair and Flybe to set up Flybe Nordic and acquire Finnish Commuter Airlines | Cision Wire (http://www.cisionwire.com/finnair-oyj-g/r/finnair-and-flybe-to-set-up-flybe-nordic-and-acquire-finnish-commuter-airlines,e244474)

Burning news!

What does that mean? And how so.

So... is this merely a business move (paper shuffeling excersice) or will it impact operations? That is to say; is there any (significant) expansion planned, and how will it affect pilot recruitment?

Future plans will be published mid August.

Substantial consolidation of existing market shares and very strong liquidity to promote future expansion. An east-west joint venture with the ambition to dominate the regional traffic in the region.

Nice words, Flyguy.

But Finnair has strong history to screwing up regional operations.

First there was Karair, Finnair bought them, incorporated them and ceased Karair.
Then Finnair created Aero Airlines for regional ops. Couple years of growth, then closed Aero down and started to buy seats from Finncom.

Now buying FC, then probably time passes by and regional ops ceasing after hmm.. 5-6-7 years, and Golden Air taking over?


Pathologic behaviour?

Good Point. The exception and expectation in this equation would now be Flybe, who has proven the opposite. Time will tell.

Doesn´t however Flybe offer some of the worst terms&conditions UK-side? :ugh:

At least they don't hire people on contracts.... :}

Great point about Finnair's role in regional flights Epsum. Aero's demise was puzzling although the ATR's were getting old and Finncomm's had some new ones still in the box. Always thought they were tools to try and put pressure on the pilot group.

T&C'S will be very interesting. The Finnair Pilot group has caljones and indeed the Finnair cabin crew recently grew a bigger pair. Both are threatened by this announcement.