Turkka Kuusisto will take on the role of chief executive of Finnair, by July 11 at the latest.
He will join the Finnish flag-carrier from Posti Group Corporation, Finland’s postal service, where he has served as chief executive since 2020. Kuusisto has served in senior leadership positions in Posti Group Corporation and in Lindorff Group.
Finnair’s current chief executive, Topi Manner, will leave the airline on January 15 to later take on the role of chief executive at telecommunications firm Elisa Corporation.
Jaakko Schildt, chief operating officer of Finnair, will act as an interim chief executive between January 15 and the start of the new chief executive.
Sanna Suvanto-Harsaae, Finnair chair, said: “The company is well positioned to continue to build a sustainable future, offering excellent connections via its Helsinki hub to both Finns and to customers travelling between Europe and Asia, the Middle East, and Americas.
“Turkka brings to Finnair his strong understanding of complex industries and his proven people leadership and strategy skills, which will benefit Finnair as Finnair now moves to the next phase in its strategy.”
Kuusisto added: “Finnair embodies to me Finnish spirit and global connections, and it has a long and unique heritage as a 100-year-old airline.
“Working side by side with all Finnair colleagues and carefully listening to our customers, I trust our joint journey will be a successful one.”