In the summer of 2025, the first direct flight to Kittilä airport during the snow-free season will be launched as Discover Airlines begins year-round scheduled flights from Frankfurt. This is a significant route opening for all of Finnish Lapland.
The flight will not only facilitate travel from Central Europe to Lapland, but it will also strengthen the entire Lapland region's tourism and support the area towards becoming a year-round international travel destination.
- This first direct summer flight is a major step in the development of year-round tourism in Lapland and will have a positive impact on the region’s economy and attractiveness. We have noticed that interest in summer in Lapland has clearly grown over the past few years. This is a great start that will surely give a positive boost to the development of summer tourism in all of Lapland, says Satu Pesonen, CEO of Visit Levi.
Discover Airlines has already confirmed its winter flight schedule from Frankfurt to Kittilä Airport, with the airline flying twice a week from December to the end of March. In April 2025, Discover Airlines will expand its flight offerings to Kittilä with two flights per week. The summer season will also see the route operated twice a week, with the exception of May, when there will be one flight per week. The route will be operated by a 180-seat Airbus A320−200 aircraft.
The close cooperation of Fell Lapland operators brings direct flights to Kittilä
Visit Levi and Visit Ylläs have been actively working together to improve Kittilä Airport's flight connections over the past few years with the support of the municipalities of Kittilä and Kolari.
- The Fell Lapland region has worked hard to secure international summer flights. We have made great progress towards truly year-round operations with international visitors. Until now, summer tourism in Lapland has largely relied on domestic visitors, says Kati Vehmas, CEO of Visit Ylläs.
Negotiations with airlines were supported by a study conducted by the municipalities of Kittilä and Kolari, funded by the EU, in the summer of 2023 across six Central European markets. The study showed that there is interest in Lapland's summer and autumn seasons.
- The study has been an excellent support in our discussions with airlines about summer flights. Previously, there was little such data available. Accessibility has been improved in cooperation with Finavia, the municipalities of Kittilä and Kolari. Thanks to all partners and Finavia for their efforts in this matter, says Satu Pesonen, CEO of Visit Levi.
Year-round tourism is the key to controlled growth
Visit Levi and Visit Ylläs believe that controlled and strength-supporting growth is achieved specifically through year-round tourism. A more balanced flow of visitors helps the region’s employment and housing policies and enhances its economic impacts. These factors enable year-round sustainable choices and comprehensive responsibility that take into account the environment, local residents, and tourists year-round.
The market research also showed that respondents in all markets were interested in Lapland’s existing strengths such as hiking, national parks, scenic views, the midnight sun, and the Finnish cottage experience. According to the study, travelers want to see multiple destinations on a single trip.
- Summer flight customers purchase more additional services on-site, such as transportation and guide services. The existing winter models cannot be directly applied to the summer season because the behavior of target groups is different. This also opens up new operational models and ways to offer services and products regionally, says Kati Vehmas, CEO of Visit Ylläs.
The German leisure airline Discover Airlines, part of the Lufthansa Group, offers connections from Kittilä Airport to the Lufthansa Group and its partners' global network. This improves Fell Lapland’s accessibility worldwide while providing local residents in Lapland e.g. with a wide selection of summer holiday destinations. Tickets are now on sale on the Discover Airlines website.
Text Visit Levi
Images Discover Airlines
For more information:
Kati Vehmas, CEO, Visit Ylläs, mob. +358 40 512 7203, email kati.vehmas@yllas.fi
Satu Pesonen, CEO, Visit Levi, mob. +358 40 820 9419, email satu.pesonen@visitlevi.fi
