TUI strengthens its commitment to Finland – Boeing 737‑8 named “Kuusamo”

This winter season, more than 60,000 holidaymakers will travel on TUI flights to Finland’s winter destinations.

At the aircraft naming ceremony, the City Manager of Kuusamo, Jouko Manninen, acted as the plane’s godfather. This is already the fourth TUI Boeing 737‑8 aircraft to be named after a Finnish destination.

Published Feb 23, 2026.

Finland is not only a departure point for TUI’s holiday trips – it is also an important travel destination in its own right. Lapland is one of TUI’s most popular winter holiday regions, and its popularity is expected to continue growing. This winter season, TUI will fly over 60,000 holidaymakers to Northern Finland from countries such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Belgium.

Kuusamo is the fourth TUI Boeing 737‑8 aircraft to be named after a travel destination in Northern Finland. The previously named aircraft are “Kittilä” (2018), “Rovaniemi” (2022) and “Ivalo” (2024). The new aircraft “Kuusamo” was officially named at a ceremony where Kuusamo’s City Manager Jouko Manninen acted as the aircraft’s godfather.

On a wintry Sunday, TUI’s newest aircraft landed at Kuusamo Airport and was soon officially named “Kuusamo”. A group of invited guests were there to welcome it, including hotel partners, activity service providers, tourism representatives from Kuusamo, and the airport manager.

After the naming ceremony, the aircraft flew satisfied TUI customers back home to Birmingham, carrying memories of their holiday experiences: husky rides, snowy landscapes and encounters with reindeer. Two reindeer were present at the event as well, but since they unfortunately do not yet pass airport security checks, these special guests followed the festivities from outside the airfield.

“TUI is an extremely important tour operator for Kuusamo. Last year, overnight stays by international visitors increased by as much as 14.2 percent, and in December their share of all overnight stays was 70%. TUI has played a key role in this growth. Having an aircraft named after our town is a great honour for us in Kuusamo,” says Jouko Manninen, City Manager of Kuusamo.

“TUI plays a significant role in Finnish tourism, and it is wonderful to see that travel to Kuusamo’s stunning landscapes continues to grow. We warmly welcome all TUI customers to Kuusamo and Kuusamo Airport,” says Petri Vuori, Director of Route Development at Finavia. “Our new aircraft are named after our holiday destinations and partner countries, bringing the spirit of these regions into our fleet.”

“Travel is more than just transportation; it connects people, regions and cultures, creating lasting bonds and shared opportunities. By naming our TUI Airline aircraft after our partner destinations, each aircraft becomes a flying ambassador symbolising cooperation, celebrating local identity and highlighting the strength of our relationships. With every takeoff and landing, these aircraft carry not only passengers but also the story of the connection that unites us,” says Aage Dünhaupt, Communications Director, Airline & Holiday Experiences, TUI.

“This winter season has been record‑breaking, and a large share of travellers arrive in Kuusamo on TUI flights. The aircraft named Kuusamo will surely continue to bring back fond memories of these trips,” says Sari Päivärinta, Manager of Kuusamo Airport.

TUI Finland Oy Ab is part of the Nordic travel group TUI Nordic, which also includes TUI Sverige, TUI Norge, TUI Danmark, Nazar and the airline TUIfly Nordic. TUI Nordic is part of TUI Group. www.tui.fi