Finnair (AY, Helsinki Vantaa) has announced it will wet-lease an A330-300 from fellow Oneworld member Iberia (IB, Madrid Barajas) for the period January 10 to January 31, 2017.

The Finnish carrier said in a press release the aircraft would be used to cover its 3x weekly Helsinki Vantaa-Miami International, United States route.

With the bulk of its in-house A330 crews currently undergoing A350-900 type-rating, Finnair has been forced to lease in added capacity to meet its longhaul demands.

“Pilot trainings are a key part of our preparations for growth," Jaakko Schildt, Chief Operating Officer, Finnair, said. "This wet lease from Iberia enables us to ensure punctual operations during a time when a large share of Finnair pilots are tied up in A350 related trainings."

Finnair is already leasing an A340-300 from Hi Fly (5K, Beja) to cover its Helsinki-New York JFK route as a result of the crew shortages which are expected to affect the airline's operations well into summer of next year. As such, it has already warned of the suspension of its Helsinki-Chongqing, China route for the period January 11, 2017 to May 2, 2017.