Flying Finn (airline)

Flying Finn was a low cost airline, based in Helsinki-Vantaa airport, Finland. Founded in March 2002, the carrier flied mostly domestic routes. Its cheap air fares were based on the fact that the e-tickets are only sold in the Internet and phone. The airline claimed a successful beginning, as the passengers who formerly bought bus and train tickets now bought cheaper flights.

The president of the company was Peter Sevelius. The flight captains had been employed from Finnair. It had many celebrities as shareholders, e.g. Juha Kankkunen, a rally driver. Its competitors included Finnair, Ryanair and Söder Airlines.

It operated two leased McDonnell Douglas MD-83 planes (OH-LMR and OH-LMS) originated from Finnair. It ran daily flights between Helsinki and Oulu. It also ran limited services between Helsinki and Rovaniemi, Kuopio and London.

In January 2004, faced with the threat of the termination of its plane lease and operating license for unpaid debts, the financially ailing airline cancelled its flights to London and went into debt restructuring. On January 27, 2004, Flying Finn ceased all flights and prepared for bankruptcy. In February 11 it left the request sheet for bankruptcy, because it didn't get enough invest money outside its owners. Over 20,000 passengers were left without tickets.