Finnair Cargo Oy, which belongs to the Finnair Group, is exploring the possibility of starting cargo flights between Asia destinations and Helsinki using its own and leased aircraft. The goal is to begin flights before summer 2010. "Growing cargo demand in the Asian market offers an opportunity to increase capacity between Asia and Europe. Traffic will be directed mainly from Asia to northern Europe, which is our domestic market area," explains Finnair Cargo's Managing Director Antero J. Lahtinen. Finnair's cargo demand in Asian traffic grew in January by 40 per cent from the previous year. Finnair carries cargo in the holds of its passenger aircraft from nine Asian destinations. Finnair Plc Communications 12.2.2010 Further information: Finnair Media Desk tel. +358 9 818 4020 or media.desk(a)finnair.com or Antero J. Lahtinen, Managing Director of Finnair Cargo, tel. +358 9 818 5400 Finnair blogs: http://blogs.finnair.com Image bank: www.finnair.com/gallery Finnair Group website: www.finnairgroup.com via.Helsinki: www.viahelsinki.com