The flight is an important part of Finnair's efforts to expand its business in China, said Henrik Arle, Finnair's executive vice-president.

"We have a long-term commitment in China, which has massive market potential, especially as it will soon enter the World Trade Organization," Arle said.

More flights are needed due to the growing economic links between China and Finland, Arle said.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Finland.

Finnair plans to open flights to Shanghai, China's largest economic powerhouse, after it gains traffic rights to fly seven times a week between Helsinki and Beijing, which is likely to occur in the next few years, he said.

"We hope Finnair will carry more Chinese passengers, especially tourists, to Finland," he said.

The Finnish Tourism Bureau is currently negotiating with the concerned department of the Chinese Government to gain permission for Chinese tourists to go to Finland.

Currently, one quarter of the passengers flying with Finnair between the two capitals are from China.

Finnair has expressed the wish that Chinese airlines will join its global airline alliance, Oneworld. The carrier also wants to find more Chinese partners and further explore businesses opportunities in the country, Arle said.

In addition to Finnair, the Oneworld alliance includes American Airlines, British Airways, Australia's Qantas and Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong.

Finnair, the most punctual airliner in Europe, inaugurated direct flight between Helsinki and Beijing in 1988, the first non-stop connection by a European airline between Europe and China.

Finnair began flying twice a week between the two cities in 1992 and three times a week early this year.

Finnair, established in 1925, carried more than 7.68 million passengers in the 1999-2000 financial year ending this March.

The airline will introduce 30 new Airbus aircrafts in the next couple of years, Arle said.

(China Daily 10/31/2000)