The international tourism brand of region Kainuu, Arctic Lakeland Finland will soon be more visible in UK market as the global tour operator TUI has announced direct weekly flights from UK to Kajaani Airport for December 2025. This new route will commence on 3 December and operates with 2 flights a week till 28 December 2025 on Wednesdays and Sundays. The travel packages are already on sale on TUI’s website in UK.
TUI UK & Ireland Commercial Director Chris Logan said: “We are thrilled to be opening Artic Lakeland to the UK and offering families a unique Christmas experience at a lower price point. Our Lapland holidays are the most magical trips, and they sell out every year. With demand growing, we saw an incredible opportunity to open this hidden gem to UK holidaymakers delivering everything families love about Lapland – from husky sledding and reindeer rides to meeting Santa himself. By securing exclusive direct flights and working with fantastic hotels in Kajaani and Vuokatti, we’re making the magic of a winter wonderland more accessible and affordable than ever. And we’re confident Arctic Lakeland is set to become a new favorite for festive getaways”.
“We commend TUI UK for their decision to initiate these flights and appreciate their confidence in Kajaani and Vuokatti as winter holiday destinations.” says Aija Laukkanen, CEO of Vuokatti Tourism Ltd. “Arctic Lakeland is a perfect destination for a Christmas break. Our area is the place that combines the arctic and lakeside sides of Finland in wintertime. Our winter offers you a chance to get away from the crowds and enjoy Finnish winter activities in snowy forests – and meet the Santa, of course!”.
All tourism stakeholders in the are celebrates the new TUI charter route to Kajaani. The route makes a significant boost for the local tourism and supports Arctic Lakeland’s vision of sustainable tourism growth through our strategic international partners. “In the coming months, we will work together with TUI, Visit Finland and Finavia to promote Arctic Lakeland Finland as Christmas Break destination and TUI’s Christmas Break packages to Kajaani and Vuokatti on UK markets.”, says Leena Penttinen, Manager International Trade & Investors at Vuokatti Tourism Ltd. “We are looking forward to working with TUI and making the route a success.”
Arctic Lakeland’s holiday destinations (Kajaani-Oulujärvi, Vuokatti, Paljakka, Ukkohalla and Wild Taiga) working for several years to create commercial demand in UK markets by attending international promotional events and negotiations with TUI. Visit Finland and Finavia have also been involved in the negotiations. “I would like to thank Visit Finland and Finavia for their magnificent input, both during the negotiations and support for the marketing efforts taking place in the coming months. My thanks go also to City of Kajaani and municipalities of Sotkamo and Kuhmo and all the tourism companies partnering with TUI for the coming Christmas season”, says Aija Laukkanen.
“As the capital of Arctic Lakeland Finland area and a arrival point of the flights, the city of Kajaani warmly welcomes the launch of TUI UK’s flights. This is the result of excellent Arctic Lakeland Finland marketing, which has been promoted together with our tourism partners. I look forward to future international tourism growth in the area, which I believe are already on the way,” celebrates Risto Hämäläinen, Development Director of the City of Kajaani.
“Arctic Lakeland Finland has a lot of potential in the UK, and this new product launch by TUI is a strong indication of that. I believe this winter product launch will increase the visibility of Arctic Lakeland in the market and further boost interest for year-round tourism in the region as well”, says Asta Kekkonen, an expert at Visit Finland.
“We are delighted about TUI UK’s new launch, which offers the international tour operator and their customers a first glimpse into an exciting new travel destination in Finland! Winter travel to Northern Finland is growing rapidly, and we welcome travelers from the UK to enjoy their Christmas in the winter wonderland,” says Petri Vuori, Director of Route Development at Finavia.
The Arctic Lakeland collaboration with TUI UK continues through the Arctic Lakeland Charter project. The project is implemented by the Municipality of Sotkamo and funded by the Municipality of Sotkamo, the Regional Council of Kainuu, and City of Kajaani and Municipality of Kuhmo. The goal of the collaboration is to promote the newly launched TUI Arctic Lakeland winter trips and increase the region’s visibility among TUI’s British customer base.
Further information:
Aija Laukkanen
CEO, Vuokatin Matkailukeskus Oy
Project Manager, Arctic Lakeland Charter -project
aija.laukkanen@vuokatti.fi
Mobile +358 40 611 6950