finnair polar and trans- siberian operations challenges for flight planning • etops (both a330 and...

Finnair Polar

and Trans-

Siberian

Operations

12.12.17 / CPWG Riku Kohvakka

About us

• One of the world’s longest continuously operating airlines (1923)

• Close to 11 million passengers annually

• Personnel of ~5000 employees

• 19 destinations in Asia, 7 destinations in the Americas and over

100 destinations in Europe

• Modern, fuel efficient and streamlined fleet

• Best Airline in Northern Europe in World Airline Awards eight years

in a row

• 4-star Skytrax rating

• Member of the oneworld alliance

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11 A350-900 (359)

8 A330-300 (333)

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Long-Haul Fleet

Flight Planning

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• CFSP=Lufthansa Systems/Lido Flight

• Most Domestic and European flights calculated by AOS

• Longer European and Long-Haul flights prepared by Operations Controllers

• Selection Criteria is minimum cost if flight is operated within schedule

• Polar flights based on daily optimum tracks (MFT, MTT, MCT)

• Trans-Siberian flights based on mix of daily optimum tracks and fixed company routes

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HEL-SFO

SFO-HEL

Polar Flights

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HEL-NGO (NRT/KIX/FUK)

(NRT/KIX/FUK) NGO-HEL

Trans-Siberia Flights

HEL to NRT also via

TELOK-BISUN

BISUN-TELOK

(NRT/NGO-HEL)

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Challenges for Flight Planning • ETOPS (both A330 and A350 are currently 180min ETOPS approved,

the newer A350 aircrafts will have ETOPS approval up to 300min)

• ETOPS Alternates

• Weather

• ATS-hours

• RFF category and hours

• Is it available in 30min prior notice?

• Fuel freezing

• A330 is considerably more vulnerable to fuel freezing than A350

(with an effective oil cooling/fuel heating system and without separate

outer tanks)

• Is BGTL/Thule available for A/C under

emergency H24?

• Some airports have ATS H24 but AD OPS

hours SUN-FRI 2300-1100 FRI/SAT 2300-

0800. Can we expect it to be available for

diversion outside ops hours?

• Any plans for ADS-B based separation in

Northern Canada?

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Questions

When we operate in remote areas we give a high value

to all airports we can use in planning for emergency

situations. Most important information to us are:

• ATS HOURS

• RESCUE AND FIRE FIGHTING SERVICES

• FORECASTED WEATHER

If these services are restricted by information on AIP,

NOTAM etc. but still available outside normal hours for

aircraft under emergency it is highly appreciated if this is

clearly indicated in your publications.

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Wish

Riku Kohvakka

Senior Flight Support Specialist

Finnair Plc, Operations Control Center

Mailing Address: OWB/59, 01053 FINNAIR, Finland

riku.kohvakka@finnair.com

Tel +358 9 818 5625, Mobile +358 50 525 5070

Flight Planning Support Back Office:

route.planning@finnair.com