Left to right: Kari Savolainen, CEO of Finavia and Liu Xuesong, president and CEO of Capital Airports Holding Company
Finnish airport operator Finavia Corporation and Capital Airports Holding Company (CAH), the largest airport operator in China, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) yesterday (January 7) on the Establishment of A Sister Airport Relationship. Finavia is the first European airport operator to conclude such agreement with CAH.
The MOU establishes extensive collaboration between Finavia and CAH, the first action being a sister airport agreement between Helsinki Airport in Finland and Beijing Capital International Airport in China. The MOU contributes to Helsinki Airport’s target to be the number one transfer airport for passengers flying between Europe and Asia.
Liu Xuesong, president and CEO of CAH, chairman of Beijing Capital International Airport, said, “We see Finavia as one of the leading and most competent airport groups. Helsinki Airport is a leading hub between China and Europe due to the shorter flying distance and minimum connecting time, as well as its first class performance in safety, security and customer service.”
Kari Savolainen, CEO of Finavia Corporation, said, “Cooperation with the largest airport operator in China is no doubt a remarkable milestone for us. It will contribute to the attractiveness of both operators’ airports and to the development opportunities of the Finland-China routes. For Helsinki Airport, it represents an outstanding opportunity to develop a competitive edge regarding the Asian and especially the Chinese market in comparison to other airports in Northern Europe.”