The Finnair Group is initiating the development of a business unit focused on independent travel and leisure travel groups, with the objective of establishing a strong presence in Finland's independent travel market. Jari Ahjoharju of Area Travel Agency has been appointed project leader. The unit's purpose is to serve customers in all of their leisure travel needs on the internet, in telephone service and in retail outlets. The plan is for the new unit to start operating in the autumn. "The new unit will combine the best expertise of the Group's travel agencies. At the same time, we can remove overlapping functions and focus resources on developing service and technology and on strengthening sales," says Finnair's Senior Vice President Travel Services Kaisa Vikkula. Sales in the independent leisure travel market are growing strongly. It is the fastest growing air transport segment. "An increasing number of Finns are making short international trips for sport, culture, meeting friends or shopping. Aurinkomatkat-Suntours also believes that some of its package tour customers will in future buy independent trips, such as short city breaks and hobby-related holidays. This is a clear business growth opportunity," says Vikkula. In the Finnair Group, package tour production and provision of travel services for business customers and consumers are concentrated in the Travel Services business area, which consists of Aurinkomatkat-Suntours and its subsidiaries as well as Finland Travel Bureau (FTB) and its subsidiary Estravel. Finnair Plc Communications 5.5.2010 Further information: Kaisa Vikkula, SVP Finnair Travel Services, tel. +358 9 818 8500 / +358 40 548 3554 Jari Ahjoharju, Project Leader, Finnair Travel Services, tel. +358 400 638 696