Finnair raises full-year guidance on strong demand 

STOCKHOLM, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Finnair on Tuesday said its full-year revenue and earnings will be stronger than previously projected as demand for air travel exceeded expectation, overcoming the impact from higher fuel costs.

• Finnair now expects full-year comparable operating profit of €175 million to €220 million ($195.51 million-$245.78 million), up from €120 million to €190 million projected in July

• The carrier forecast 2026 revenue of €3.5 billion to €3.6 billion, up from €3.4 billion to €3.5 billion previously

• High fuel costs have partly been passed on to ticket prices, the carrier it said in a statement

• Finnair said it will be difficult to increase fuel hedging for 2027 from its current levels

• The group said comparable third-quarter operating profit was around €84 million, up from €50.5 million a year earlier, while sales rose to €953 million from €834.9 million

• Finnair is due to publish its full third-quarter earnings report on October 27

($1 = 0.8951 euros)

(Reporting by Anna Ringstrom, editing by Terje Solsvik)