Finnair benefits from strong Asian market and yield improvement. But challenges at home

The Finnish government will be relieved that its 56% stake in Finnair is in better shape as the flag carrier has finally recorded a solid EUR42 million profit for the Sep-2010 quarter, after 7 successive loss making quarters. This compared with a loss of EUR33 million for the 2009 period and follows restrained growth to recapture profitability - which has caused it some lost ground in market share, but improved yield.