easyJet opens London-Rovaniemi route

British low-cost carrier easyJet on Wednesday has started direct flights from London to Rovaniemi, said a press release of Finavia, the company that operates the country’s airports on Friday quoting easyJet source.

The airline will operate two flights a week on the route, on Wednesdays and Sundays.

The new route from London Gatwick to Rovaniemi was inaugurated at Rovaniemi airport on Wednesday and EasyJet expects the service to carry more than 13,000 passengers in the first winter of operation.

“This route has already proved a very popular addition to our route network from London Gatwick especially with families wishing to visit Santa this winter or travellers wishing to experience the Northern lights”, said Sophie Dekkers, EasyJet’s UK Commercial Director.

“A winter trip to visit Father Christmas in his hometown has long been a favourite of Gatwick passengers, and we’re pleased that the charming city of Rovaniemi will now be even more accessible thanks to this new twice-weekly service from easyJet”, said Stephen King, Head of Airline Relations, Gatwick Airport.

Rovaniemi offers a variety of traditional and unique winter activities and is the official Hometown of Santa Claus. In winter visitors can experience the Northern Lights during the Polar Nights, meet huskies and reindeer or ride a snowmobile.

“As Lapland’s attractiveness as a destination is growing, Finavia invests major amounts in Lapland Airports to support the growth. For example, Rovaniemi Airport terminal will grow with over 75 percent by Christmas season in 2019. We are happy to contribute to Lapland’s tourism growth with EasyJet by making it possible to fly there directly”, said Jani Jolkkonen, Senior Vice President of Airport Network at Finavia.

“We are happy that this the new connection that serves the visitors to meet Santa and to experience the Magic of Christmas any day at the Arctic Circle has started today”, said Sanna Kärkkäinen, the CEO of Visit Rovaniemi.