Nordic Regional Airlines
Nordic Regional Airlines is a Finnish regional airline based at Helsinki Airport and operating in cooperation with Finnair.
Last updated October 30, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Nordic Regional Airlines Oy, commonly known as NORRA and sometimes stylised as N°RRA, is a Finnish regional airline headquartered in Vantaa and based operationally at Helsinki Airport. The carrier has operated under several names during its development, including Finnish Commuter Airlines, Finncomm Airlines, Flybe Finland and Flybe Nordic. Its current identity was adopted in 2015 after the airline moved into a new ownership and operating arrangement connected with Finnair. The company's origins date to the establishment of Finnish Commuter Airlines in 1993. During the second half of the 1990s it began irregular operations, and in 1998 it started cooperating with Finnair and the Swedish regional carrier Golden Air Flyg. The cooperation covered functions such as staffing, flight planning, operations control and marketing. Scheduled services began in 2003 under the Finncomm Airlines name, with flights operated on behalf of Finnair and Golden Air. The initial fleet was small, consisting of a leased Embraer E145 and later another aircraft of the same type together with Saab 340 turboprops. ATR 42 aircraft were added as the business expanded, and larger ATR 72s joined the fleet by the beginning of 2011. The airline's network grew substantially through its relationship with Finnair. By June 2007, a codeshare arrangement with Finnair supported a network of 15 domestic routes and four international routes. The carrier's role was principally that of a regional operator feeding and complementing Finnair's network rather than competing as a broad long-haul airline. Its operating model has therefore centered on short-haul passenger services, regional connectivity and turboprop operations. A major ownership transition was announced in July 2011, when Flybe and Finnair agreed to acquire Finnish Commuter Airlines and create Flybe Nordic. Under the announced structure, Flybe held 60 percent and Finnair 40 percent. The transaction was valued at €25 million, with Flybe contributing €12 million and Finnair €13 million to the purchase price. Flybe also planned additional investment in the new airline. The transition to the Flybe Nordic name was initially expected in August 2011 but the operational launch and rebranding were delayed until October 2011. Flybe later sought to withdraw from the investment. In November 2014, it announced plans to dispose of its 60 percent interest for a nominal amount as part of a group cost-reduction program. Following approval by the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority, the stake was transferred through an arrangement involving StaffPoint Holding, G.W. Sohlberg and Finnair. Finnair temporarily held the interest from March 2015. The airline operated under Finnair flight codes from 1 May 2015 and adopted the NORRA-Nordic Regional Airlines name on 15 June 2015. Danish Air Transport became the major shareholder in 2018, marking another change in the carrier's ownership history. NORRA has continued to function as a regional airline associated with Finnair's network, while also maintaining operational and technical capabilities for regional aircraft. Its Vantaa headquarters and operations center are complemented by a financial office in Seinäjoki. Related businesses have included Flybe Finland Ground, established to provide airport ground services, and Flybe Finland Maintenance, which provided maintenance for regional aircraft, particularly ATR 72s, at Helsinki Airport. The airline has also maintained or participated in codeshare arrangements involving Finnair, Air France, British Airways, Etihad Airways and KLM. These relationships illustrate its role within connecting European airline networks. Public reference material identifies the carrier as operating an active regional fleet in 2025, although a complete aircraft-by-aircraft fleet list is not provided in the supplied material. Finncomm Airlines was a Finnish regional airline founded in 1993 and headquartered in Helsinki. It operated domestic and European regional routes, mainly in cooperation with Finnair. In 2011, the company ceased operations due to financial difficulties, and its assets were acquired by Flybe Nordic. Danish Air Transport became the major shareholder in 2018, marking another change in the airline's ownership history. NORRA continues to operate as a regional airline connected to Finnair's network while maintaining operational and technical capabilities for regional aircraft. Its Vantaa headquarters and operations centre are complemented by a finance office in Seinäjoki. Associated businesses have included Flybe Finland Ground, providing airport ground services, and Flybe Finland Maintenance, providing regional aircraft maintenance at Helsinki Airport, particularly for the ATR 72.
History
Nordic Regional Airlines traces its history to Finnish Commuter Airlines, established in 1993. The company initially conducted irregular operations during the second half of the 1990s. In 1998 it began cooperating with Finnair and Swedish regional operator Golden Air Flyg, with cooperation covering staffing, flight planning, operational control and marketing. Scheduled services began in 2003 under the Finncomm Airlines brand. These flights were operated on behalf of Finnair and Golden Air. The early fleet included leased Embraer E145 aircraft and Saab 340 turboprops. Expansion continued with the introduction of ATR 42 aircraft in 2005. By June 2007, a codeshare relationship with Finnair had helped the carrier serve 15 domestic routes and four international routes. Larger ATR 72 aircraft had been added by early 2011, reflecting the airline's growth and its concentration on regional short-haul flying. In July 2011, Flybe and Finnair announced plans to acquire Finnish Commuter Airlines and create a new joint airline called Flybe Nordic. The announced ownership structure gave Flybe 60 percent and Finnair 40 percent. The purchase price was stated as €25 million, and Flybe also planned further investment in the operation. The rebranding was eventually implemented in October 2011 after an initially planned August start date was postponed. Flybe later decided to leave the investment. In November 2014, it announced that it intended to sell its 60 percent holding for a nominal amount as part of efforts to reduce group costs. The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority approved the transaction in February 2015. Finnair temporarily acquired the stake in March 2015, and the airline began operating under Finnair flight codes on 1 May. On 15 June 2015, it adopted the NORRA-Nordic Regional Airlines identity. The company has remained closely connected to Finnair while passing through further ownership changes. Danish Air Transport became its major shareholder in 2018. The airline's principal base and operations center are at Helsinki Airport in Vantaa, while its financial division is located in Seinäjoki. In addition to passenger operations, associated businesses have provided aviation support services. Flybe Finland Ground was announced in 2013 to provide ground services for Flybe operations in Finland, initially at Helsinki Airport, with the possibility of serving other airlines. The former Finnish Aircraft Maintenance business operated as Flybe Finland Maintenance from 2013 and focused on maintenance for regional aircraft, particularly ATR 72 aircraft at Helsinki. Nordic Regional Airlines has participated in codeshare arrangements involving Finnair, Air France, British Airways, Etihad Airways and KLM. These partnerships have supported its role as a regional feeder and connecting carrier. Reference material identifies an active fleet in August 2025 but does not provide enough detail in the supplied extract to enumerate every current aircraft type or registration.
- 2018
Danish Air Transport becomes major shareholder
[1]Danish Air Transport becomes the airline's major shareholder.
- 2015
Finnair temporarily takes ownership and the NORRA name is adopted
[1]Finnair temporarily acquires Flybe's stake, the airline begins using Finnair flight codes, and the NORRA-Nordic Regional Airlines name is introduced.
- 2013
Ground and maintenance activities are reorganized
[1]Flybe Finland Ground and Flybe Finland Maintenance are established or renamed to support the airline's operations.
- 2011
Flybe Nordic transaction is announced
[1]Flybe and Finnair announce plans to purchase and rebrand Finnish Commuter Airlines.
- 2007
Network reaches 19 routes
[1]By June, the Finnair codeshare-supported network includes 15 domestic and four international routes.
- 2005
ATR 42 aircraft enter the fleet
[1]The airline adds its first ATR 42 aircraft as its regional network expands.
- 2003
Scheduled operations begin under the Finncomm name
[1]Finnish Commuter Airlines starts scheduled services on behalf of Finnair and Golden Air using the Finncomm Airlines brand.
- 1998
Cooperation with Finnair begins
[1]The company begins cooperation involving staffing, planning, operational control and marketing with Finnair and Golden Air Flyg.
- 1993
Finnish Commuter Airlines is established
[1]The predecessor of Nordic Regional Airlines is established in Finland.
Products and positioning
A Finnish regional airline focused on short-haul passenger connectivity, especially services operated in cooperation with Finnair and supported by regional turboprop aircraft.
Passenger aviation · 2003
Scheduled regional passenger flights
Nordic Regional Airlines operates short-haul regional passenger services from its Helsinki Airport base. Historically, its network has included Finnish domestic routes and selected international services, with the airline frequently operating in support of Finnair's broader network and using Finnair flight codes.
Codeshare aviation · 1998
Finnair-connected regional services
A central part of the airline's commercial role is cooperation with Finnair. The relationship has included codesharing, operations under Finnair codes and regional connectivity designed to complement the Finnish flag carrier's network.
Aircraft services · 2013
Regional aircraft maintenance
The associated Flybe Finland Maintenance operation provided maintenance services for regional aircraft at Helsinki Airport, with particular emphasis on ATR 72 aircraft. The supplied reference does not establish the current standalone status of this activity under the NORRA name.
Ground handling · 2013
Airport ground services
Flybe Finland Ground was announced as a ground-services business supporting Flybe operations in Finland, initially at Helsinki Airport and potentially for other airlines. The supplied reference does not establish whether this activity remains separately branded or active.
Brand decisions
2018
Danish Air Transport becomes major shareholderM&ABackground
The airline underwent another ownership change after the earlier Flybe and Finnair arrangement.
Action taken
Danish Air Transport became the major shareholder.
Aftermath
Nordic Regional Airlines continued its regional operating role, including its relationship with Finnair.
2015
Transfer of Flybe's majority stakeM&ABackground
Flybe decided to exit the airline as part of a broader effort to reduce group costs.
Action taken
After regulatory approval, the 60 percent interest was transferred and Finnair temporarily took ownership in March 2015.
Aftermath
The airline operated under Finnair flight codes from May and adopted the NORRA-Nordic Regional Airlines name in June.
Sale price for Flybe's 60 percent stake. €1 announced sale price (November 2014 announcement)
2015
Adopt the NORRA-Nordic Regional Airlines identityStrategyBackground
The airline required a new identity after the ownership and brand relationship with Flybe changed.
Action taken
The carrier was renamed NORRA-Nordic Regional Airlines on 15 June 2015 and operated under Finnair flight codes from 1 May.
Aftermath
The new identity positioned the company as a Finnish regional operator closely connected to Finnair.
2011
Create Flybe Nordic through acquisitionM&ABackground
Flybe and Finnair sought to acquire Finnish Commuter Airlines and replace its existing identity with a jointly owned regional airline.
Action taken
The announced structure assigned 60 percent to Flybe and 40 percent to Finnair, with the new carrier intended to operate as Flybe Nordic.
Aftermath
The rebranding was implemented in October 2011, beginning a period in which the airline operated under the Flybe Nordic and Flybe Finland identities.
Purchase price. €25 million announced purchase price (2011 transaction announcement)
Recent events
- 2018
Danish Air Transport becomes major shareholder[1]
M&A
Danish Air Transport became the major shareholder of Nordic Regional Airlines.
- 2015
Flybe Nordic ownership transition is completed[1]
M&A · Regulation
After Flybe announced its intention to exit the business, the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority approved the transfer of the 60 percent stake, with Finnair temporarily taking ownership.
- 2015
Carrier adopts the NORRA-Nordic Regional Airlines name[1]
Leadership change · Other
The airline began operating under Finnair flight codes in May and was renamed NORRA-Nordic Regional Airlines in June.
- 2011
Flybe and Finnair announce plans to acquire and rebrand Finnish Commuter Airlines[1]
M&A · Leadership change
Flybe and Finnair announced a joint plan to purchase Finnish Commuter Airlines and establish Flybe Nordic, with Flybe holding a majority stake and Finnair retaining a minority interest.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/nordic-regional-airlines · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled