Bristol Airport is set to get its first direct flights to Finnish Lapland after Crystal Ski Holidays put tickets on sale on Thursday 3 September for a new weekly TUI Airways route to Kuusamo, starting winter 2027/28.
The new Sunday service will give holidaymakers in the South West direct access to Kuusamo, described as a gateway to the Ruka area, one of Finland's most popular ski destinations, according to Bristol Live. The route also opens up wider Finnish Lapland, including Salla, for activities such as husky safaris, snowmobiling, reindeer sleigh rides, snowshoeing and searches for the Northern Lights.
Head of Crystal Ski Holidays Scott Britton said the airline was responding to demand for winter holidays that are "easy to book, easy to get to and offer something truly memorable." He added: "This new Bristol to Kuusamo route gives holidaymakers in the South West a direct way to experience Finnish Lapland, from skiing through snow covered pine forests in Ruka to once-in-a-lifetime winter activities."
The Bristol to Kuusamo service is one of six new regional routes Crystal Ski Holidays and TUI Airways are launching for winter 2027, according to Breaking Travel News. The other new routes connect Belfast, Bournemouth and East Midlands to Innsbruck, and Newcastle to both Toulouse-Blagnac and Chambery. TUI Airways said the wider programme is intended to give travellers outside London easier access to European ski resorts without a longer journey to a larger airport.