Airlines

Finnair to lease two A330 aircraft to Oneworld partner Qantas

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In accordance with a long-term contract, Finnair will first wet lease (lease two A330 aircraft with crew) to Qantas for a period of two years, and then dry lease (lease two A330 aircraft without crew) to Qantas for a period of 2.5 years, beginning in 2025. The first aircraft will be under wet lease beginning in October 2023, and the second aircraft will be under wet lease beginning in early 2024.

The arrangement with Qantas is a component of Finnair’s relentless efforts to secure the best possible use of its A330 fleet, which has limited range when deployed in Finnair’s own long-haul operations due to the closure of Russian airspace. Following the shutdown of Russian airspace, Finnair’s fleet was optimized, and the agreement with Qantas marks its completion.

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The planes will be used in Qantas’ network on routes between Sydney and Bangkok as well as Sydney and Singapore throughout the wet lease period. The pilots of Finnair will fly regularly scheduled Finnair flights from Helsinki to Singapore and Helsinki to Bangkok. They will then continue flying regularly scheduled Qantas flights between Singapore, Bangkok, and Sydney before returning to Helsinki, where they are based.

In addition to performing aircraft maintenance at the Qantas destinations, Finnair partners with offices in Singapore and Bangkok also provide the cabin crew. Finnair has acquired enough pilot personnel to support the size of its fleet, which includes the planes it has leased to Qantas. Due to their full deployment in other airlines, the Qantas agreement has no impact on the number of cabin personnel at Finnair.

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The partnership enables Finnair to deploy its A330 aircraft in a cost-effective and successful manner. Because flying through Russian airspace increased travel times between Finnair’s hub in Helsinki and its Asian destinations, the airline has constructed a network that is more geographically balanced after the shutdown of the Russian airspace. As part of this new strategy, Finnair has been fostering relationships with its oneworld partners, as evidenced by the deal with Qantas.

Airlines

A Costly Mistake: Passenger Pays for Fuel After Disruptive Flight

A Western Australian man has learned a costly lesson after his unruly behavior on a flight resulted in the aircraft having to turn back. The passenger was ordered to pay over $5,000 in fuel costs, along with a significant fine, for causing the plane to divert.

The incident occurred in September 2023 when the man, who was not publicly named, became disruptive on a flight from Perth to Sydney. Due to his behavior, the pilot was forced to turn the plane around and return to Perth, which required dumping fuel to land safely.

The passenger pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly behavior and non-compliance with safety instructions. As a result, he was ordered to pay $8,630 to the airline to cover the cost of the wasted fuel and was also fined $6,055. This combined penalty of over $11,000 is a stark reminder of the severe consequences of disruptive behavior on flights.

While this is not a typical punishment, other cases of in-flight misconduct have resulted in hefty fines. One passenger in the United States was fined over $40,000 for a series of offenses, including bringing their own alcohol on board, being intoxicated, attempting to smoke marijuana, and sexually assaulting a flight attendant.

The Australian Federal Police emphasized that disruptive behavior on flights will not be tolerated. They warned that individuals who cause disturbances can face significant financial penalties and legal consequences. The case of the Western Australian passenger serves as a clear message that obeying airline staff and adhering to safety regulations is essential for a smooth and safe flight.