FINLAND: Finnair, Finland’s flagship carrier, has announced the appointment of Turkka Kuusisto as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), succeeding Topi Manner. Kuusisto, a seasoned executive with a background in complex industries, is set to assume his role by July 11, 2024.
Turkka Kuusisto, 44, brings a wealth of experience to Finnair, having served as the CEO of Posti Group Corporation since 2020. Before leading Posti Group, he held significant leadership roles within the company and in Lindorff Group, showcasing a deep understanding of the industry.
Sanna Suvanto-Harsaae, Chair of the Board of Directors at Finnair, expressed enthusiasm about the new appointment, stating, “I am happy to welcome Turkka Kuusisto to take the helm of Finnair and drive the next phases of Finnair’s strategy. Finnair has restored its profitability after the historic double crisis, and the company is well positioned to continue to build a sustainable future.”
She continued, “Turkka brings to Finnair his strong understanding of complex industries and his proven people leadership and strategy skills, which will benefit Finnair as it moves to the next phase in its strategy.”
In response to his appointment, Turkka Kuusisto shared his excitement, saying, “Finnair embodies to me Finnish spirit and global connections, and it has a long and unique heritage as a 100-year old airline. I am excited and humble to take on the role of CEO in this iconic company. Working side by side with all Finnair colleagues and carefully listening to our customers, I trust our joint journey will be a successful one.”
The outgoing CEO, Topi Manner, is set to leave Finnair on January 15, 2024, to assume the role of CEO at Elisa Corporation. During the interim period, Jaakko Schildt, Chief Operating Officer of Finnair, will serve as the acting CEO.
Finnair, known for its year-round direct flights to Lapland and a focus on sustainability, aims to achieve carbon neutrality by the end of 2045. The airline has been recognized by customers, receiving the title of Best Airline in Northern Europe in the Skytrax Awards for 13 consecutive years. Finnair remains a member of the oneworld alliance, and its shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki stock exchange.
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