Finnair cancels 100 flights due to staff strike

Following an “illegal” worker strike, Finnair was forced to cancel almost 100 flights from its hub in Helsinki.

According to a statement issued by Finnair on November 20, 2022, the Finnish Transport Workers’ Union AKT declared that a strike involving Finnair’s cabin crew in Helsinki will occur between November 20 at 3 p.m. EET and November 21 at 3 p.m.

The Chief Operating Officer of Finnair, Jaakko Schildt, expressed regret that the labor union had chosen an illegal strike as opposed to negotiations as the airline rerouted passengers who were impacted by the strike.

“Throughout the autumn we have discussed savings possibilities with the unions, but unfortunately, we have not been able to achieve a result with the cabin crew. We still hope to find solutions together,” Schildt added.

Prior to the strike, Finnair conducted discussions with all of its labor unions about the necessary cost-cutting measures to get the airline back to profitability after the covid-19 outbreak caused “significant losses and debt accumulation,” according to the airline.

“The primary goal has been to find cost-reducing solutions together with Finnair employees. For cabin crew, Finnair proposed changes for example to crew utilization efficiency, layover hotel rules, and additional pay-per-hour rules for long flights, as the closure of Russian airspace has made the flight times to Asia considerably longer,” the Finnair statement read.

However, after failing to come to an agreement with the cabin crew members, the airline declared its intention to look for “additional measures.”

Additionally, Finnair disclosed that it has recently started contract negotiations with regard to proposals to enhance the subcontracting of cabin service on lengthy routes.

According to Finnair, neither flights run by Norra nor those whose cabin service is provided by partners of Finnair are impacted by the present strike. Flights to Singapore, India, Barcelona, and Madrid are included in this.

All of Finnair’s flights leaving from Helsinki are affected by the strike, according to the airline’s travel report.

Flights from Helsinki to these cities as well as London, Amsterdam, Milan, Stockholm, Rome, Munich, Zurich, Bangkok, Vienna, Berlin, and Tokyo are included.