TUI Group has reinforced its long-term commitment to Northern Finland by naming one of its Boeing 737-8 aircraft “Kuusamo.” The naming ceremony took place at Kuusamo Airport, with Kuusamo Mayor Jouko Manninen serving as the aircraft’s official godfather.
The move reflects the growing strategic importance of Lapland within TUI’s winter portfolio.
Northern Finland: A Key Winter Growth Market
During the 2025–26 winter season, more than 60,000 holidaymakers are expected to fly with TUI to Northern Finland, primarily from the UK, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
Lapland continues to rank among TUI’s most popular winter holiday destinations, with demand for Arctic experiences — including husky safaris, reindeer encounters, and snow-based activities — driving record visitor numbers.
Kuusamo becomes the fourth Boeing 737-8 in TUI’s fleet to carry the name of a Northern Finnish destination:
- Kittilä (2018)
- Rovaniemi (2022)
- Ivalo (2024)
- Kuusamo (2026)
Ceremony Highlights
The newly named aircraft landed at Kuusamo Airport on a winter Sunday and was welcomed by:
- Local hotel partners
- Activity providers
- Tourism officials
- Airport representatives
In a symbolic gesture reflecting the region’s identity, two reindeer attended the ceremony — though airport security regulations required them to observe from outside the terminal.
Following the naming event, the aircraft departed with TUI passengers returning home after experiencing Kuusamo’s winter landscape.
Tourism Impact and Regional Growth
Kuusamo has experienced notable growth in international tourism. In 2025:
- International overnight stays increased by 14.2%
- In December, international visitors accounted for 70% of all overnight stays
Mayor Jouko Manninen highlighted TUI’s significant contribution to this growth, describing the aircraft naming as a strong symbol of partnership.
Finavia Senior Vice President for Route Development, Petri Vuori, emphasized the continued expansion of travel to Kuusamo and welcomed TUI’s role in strengthening connectivity.
Sari Päivärinta, Manager of Kuusamo Airport, noted that the 2025–26 winter season has been record-breaking, with a substantial proportion of travelers arriving on TUI-operated flights.
Aircraft as “Flying Ambassadors”
According to Aage Dünhaupt, Director Communications Holiday Experiences & Airline at TUI, the naming initiative extends beyond branding:
Each aircraft named after a partner destination serves as a “flying ambassador,” celebrating collaboration and reinforcing long-term tourism relationships. The TUI Boeing 737-8 Kuusamo symbolises not only connectivity but also cultural exchange and regional development.
Strategic Outlook
By embedding destination identity directly into its fleet, TUI strengthens both its market presence in Finland and its partnership-driven growth model. With winter tourism in Lapland continuing to expand, the Kuusamo-named aircraft is positioned to support sustained inbound travel and deepen TUI’s footprint in Arctic Europe.
As the aircraft takes off and lands across Europe, it carries more than passengers — it carries the story of Northern Finland’s growing prominence in global winter tourism.
