Helsinki-based Finnair has plans to optimise its Indian operations through flights rationalisation, a top company official said.

"We have plans to reduce the frequency of our flights from November in order to achieve optimum utilisation of our aircraft," Finnair Director, Indian Sub-continent, Kari Stolbow told PTI.

The number of flights would be reduced to 10 from 13, which the airline currently operates from New Delhi and Mumbai, Stolbow said.

Of the 13 flights, seven services are from Delhi and six from Mumbai. All are bound for Helsinki.

Finnair is phasing out its existing fleet of MD-11 aircraft and replacing them with Airbus 330 and 340, he said, adding "once the delivery of these 51 aircraft is made, we will enhance the frequencies to India".

The delivery of these aircraft will commence from May 2009, Stolbow said.

The airline has also placed orders for Airbus 350, and it is expected to receive the first aircraft in 2014, he said.

"We also have plans to connect South Asia with North America via Europe. Helsinki, in fact, provides the shortest route to North America," Stolbow said.

"Since we have split up our flights into seven-and-a half-hours each, we not only save on fuel but also have an eco-friendly operation because of less carbon emissions, he said.

Finnair had started its India operation in October 2006 with a flight to Delhi from Helsinki. In June last year, it added Mumbai as its second destination in the country.

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