TUI names Boeing 737-8 ‘Kuusamo’ to demonstrate commitment to Finland

International

Over 60,000 holidaymakers fly with TUI to Northern Finland this winter

TUI has reinforced its presence in Northern Finland by naming one of its Boeing 737-8 aircraft “Kuusamo”. The ceremony took place at Kuusamo Airport, highlighting both Finland’s importance as a source market and Lapland’s growing relevance as a winter destination.

During the current winter season, TUI is set to carry more than 60,000 holidaymakers to Northern Finland, with particularly strong demand from the UK, the Netherlands and Belgium. Kuusamo becomes the fourth destination in the region to be represented within TUI’s fleet.

Destination names as part of fleet identity

The aircraft follows a series of Boeing 737-8 planes previously named after Finnish destinations: “Kittilä” (2018), “Rovaniemi” (2022) and “Ivalo” (2024). The newly introduced “Kuusamo” was officially named with Kuusamo’s Mayor, Jouko Manninen, acting as the aircraft’s godparent.

The plane’s arrival was marked by a reception attended by hotel partners, activity providers, tourism representatives and airport officials. The event underscored the close ties between the airline and the local tourism industry.

Tourism growth linked to international demand

Kuusamo has seen notable increases in international visitation. “Last year, overnight stays by international visitors increased by as much as 14.2 percent, and in December their share was 70 percent of all overnight stays. TUI has played a key role in this growth,” said Jouko Manninen, Mayor of Kuusamo. “Having an aircraft named after Kuusamo is a true honour for us.”

Petri Vuori, SVP Route Development at Finavia, emphasised the broader tourism impact: “TUI holds an important position in Finnish tourism, and it is wonderful to see that travel to the stunning landscapes of Kuusamo continues to grow in popularity. We warmly welcome all TUI guests.”

Aircraft as ambassadors of destinations

TUI views the naming strategy as part of its brand and partnership philosophy. “Our new aircraft will be named after destinations across our holiday and partner countries, bringing the spirit of these regions into the heart of our fleet,” said Aage Dünhaupt, Director Communications Holiday Experiences & Airline, TUI.

“By giving our TUI Airline aircraft the names of our partner destinations, each plane becomes a flying ambassador, symbolising collaboration, celebrating local identity, and showcasing the strength of our relationships.”

Record winter season for Kuusamo

Kuusamo Airport has also recorded strong performance this winter. “This winter season has been record-breaking, and a large share of travellers arrive in Kuusamo on TUI’s flights,” noted Sari Päivärinta, Manager of Kuusamo Airport. “The aircraft named Kuusamo will surely continue to bring back all those wonderful memories for passengers.”

With the addition of “Kuusamo”, TUI continues to link its fleet identity closely with key destinations, reflecting both market demand and regional partnerships.