New and strengthened flight connections to Oulu - significantly improving accessibility

Oulu's international and domestic accessibility will be significantly improved with new routes and capacity increases. The development is driven in particular by Oulu's position as the European Capital of Culture for 2026 and the city's growing role as a centre for international business and tourism.

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Direct Frankfurt-Oulu route launches

A member of the Lufthansa Group Discover Airlines opens a new direct flight connection Between Frankfurt and Oulu. Initially, in the summer season 2025, a stopover will be added to the Frankfurt-Kittilä route to Oulu, and from January 2026 the service will become a fully direct route from Frankfurt to Oulu. During the winter season, the flight will operate twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays. From April onwards, the flight days will be Monday and Saturday. At the end of May, the summer season will see a third flight on Fridays.

The new connection will strengthen Oulu's international position as the northern gateway between Central Europe and the Arctic region, and will support tourism growth and the attractiveness of the region.

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Riga-Oulu streamlines connections to Central and Eastern Europe

AirBaltic start direct flights Between Riga and Oulu on 29 March 2026. The route will be operated five days a week and will open up new opportunities for tourists and businesses alike.

The new connection will strengthen Oulu's accessibility on the eve of the European Capital of Culture year and make travel to the Baltic and Central Europe easier than ever. In the  ENGarticle, this can be reversed to make travelling from the Baltic and Central Europe to Oulu easier. In the Finnish article it could also be as it is now, i.e. the perspective of exit is also presented.

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Finnair increases capacity on the Oulu-Helsinki route

There are also positive changes in domestic transport. Finnair increase the number of flights from March 2026 Between Oulu and Helsinki by 15%.

New flights from March:

Helsinki-Oulu at 22.50 from Sunday to Thursday and Oulu-Helsinki at 7.40 from Monday to Friday
Helsinki-Oulu at 15.55 and Oulu-Helsinki at 17.35 on Thursday afternoons
Morning flight daily Helsinki-Oulu at 9.10 and Oulu-Helsinki at 10.50

The additional capacity will support the needs of business and industry and serve tourists, especially during the year of the Capital of Culture, when the smooth flow of traffic and sufficient space are particularly important.

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By train to Oulu: new Pendolino Plus and additional services strengthen connections

In December, a completely new connection between Oulu and Helsinki will be available. Pendolino Plus train, giving passengers more comfort and choice. The new In the Extra Plus category with more comfortable facilities, more staff, pre-ordered meals and cabins to work in. Trains also have a children's play car.

Pendolino Plus trains will partially replace the existing IC and Pendolino connections, but journey times and stops will remain unchanged.

At the same time, from 14.12. onwards, the Oulu train service will increase with new services:

on Sundays direct connection from Turku to Oulu at 11.05
on Sundays from Oulu to Helsinki at 18.17, stopping at stations north of Seinäjoki
Sundays from Oulu to Seinäjoki at 11.55
on Saturdays IC25 continues from Oulu to Rovaniemi at 18:00
on Sundays IC26 leaves Rovaniemi at 11.00 and continues via Oulu to Helsinki

The reform will bring more train options alongside flying and will meet the increased demand, especially at weekends.