DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER LASSE HEINONEN TO LEAVE FINNAIR


FINNAIR PLC                               MANAGEMENT CHANGE                            2.3.2011  13.00

The Finnair Group's Deputy Chief Executive Officer Lasse Heinonen will leave Finnair on 15 May 2011. Heinonen will join Tieto Corporation as Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Member of the Leadership Team. Heinonen joined Finnair as CFO in 2004. Since 2009, Heinonen has served as Finnair's Deputy CEO as well as Executive Vice President with responsibility for Cargo business and Aviation Services, which includes the Group's technical operations, ground handling and catering services.

“Lasse Heinonen has been responsible for the Group's financial management during a period when Finnair has made huge investments in aircraft. Reasonably priced financing has been obtained for investments of over one billion euros and the company's balance sheet has been kept on a sound footing," says Finnair's President & CEO Mika Vehviläinen.

“In recent years, considerable changes have also been made in Aviation Services, Heinonen's area of responsibility. Sector restructuring and environmental and corporate changes have demanded good, far-sighted judgment in decision-making. During Heinonen's time, cargo business has been purposefully expanded. I extend my thanks to Lasse Heinonen for his contribution to the company during challenging times," says Vehviläinen.

Finnair Plc
Communications

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