Finnair starts Melbourne route on 25 October with cargo restrictions

Finnair Cargo will launch its first Australian service on 25 October 2026, introducing a daily, year-round air cargo connection between Helsinki and Melbourne via Bangkok. The route will connect Australia with Finnair’s wider European network and provide additional routing options for cargo moving between Australia, Europe and North America.

The inaugural flight, AY145, is scheduled to depart Helsinki at 01:15 on 25 October and arrive in Melbourne at 07:20 local time on 26 October. The approximately 22-hour journey includes a stop of just under two hours in Bangkok. The return service, AY146, is scheduled to depart Melbourne at 15:30 local time, arrive in Bangkok at 20:40 and depart at 22:45, reaching Helsinki at 06:00 the following day.

Both services will be operated by an Airbus A350 passenger aircraft, with cargo carried in its belly hold. The aircraft has approximately 23 tonnes or 95 cubic metres of belly cargo capacity, although the actual capacity available on an individual flight depends on operational requirements.

“We are pleased with the response so far and have seen strong interest in the new connection,” said Anna-Maria Kirchner, Head of Global Sales at Finnair Cargo, in an interview with The STAT Trade Times.

This story was originally published by STAT Times. Read the full story at STAT Times →