​​2/18/1956: Finnair Flies to Moscow after World War II

DALLAS — Today, in 1956, Finnair (AY) became the first Western airline to begin commercial flights to Moscow Vnukovo Airport (VKO), formally Vnukovo Andrei Tupolev International Airport—named after Andrei Tupolev, after World War II.

Operated by a Convair 440, AY flew the route twice weekly. In the first years of operation, approximately 2,000 passengers were carried annually.

War Years

Like most European airlines, the war years were difficult for AY, then known as Aero O/Y. Raids on various Finnish cities led to the Finnish Air Force relinquishing half of the carrier's fleet.

At the end of hostilities, the country's government acquired a majority share in the company. 1947 saw the airline renamed to Finnish Air Lines, and passenger numbers soared that year. Expansion followed, and AY purchased new aircraft, such as the twin-engined, pressurized Convair 440.

Special Arrangements

Special arrangements had to be made for the Moscow service. Firstly, enough fuel had to be carried for the rerun flight. This proved problematic, and AY would eventually send its fuel truck to the airport. The Soviet Union offered no diversion airport, and basic navigation skills were required as contact with ATC was problematic in Soviet airspace.

In the flight deck, a Soviet radio operator was required. This also meant that a Russian-speaking Flight Attendant had to be carried to assist. 1960 saw AY move the service from VKO to Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO).

By 1961, AY had introduced its first jet equipment, the Sud Aviation Caravelle, to the route. Cooperation with the Russian flag carrier began in 1964.

Featured image: Aero O/Y Finnish Airlines added the Convair 440 in 1953.

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