Finnair has cancelled over 100 flights leaving Helsinki Airport between yesterday November 20, 2022, and today November 21, 2022, due to the Finnish Transport Workers' Union AKT strike regarding Finnair's cabin crew in Helsinki. The strike has not affected the flights operated by Norra nor flights whose cabin service is provided by Finnair's partners, such as flights to Singapore and India, or flights operated by other airlines’ aircraft and crew, for example to Barcelona and Madrid.
Jaakko Schildt, Finnair's Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are deeply sorry for the concern and inconvenience this strike is causing our customers, and do our best to reroute our customers as soon as possible. It is sad that the labor union has chosen the path of an illegal strike instead of negotiations. 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.”
The flight cancellations and rerouting of customers started last week with the airline informing the customers of cancellations and offering different options.
Going ahead the airline has ended the change negotiations and has reduced approximately 90 jobs in Finland and 57 jobs abroad. Finnair had announced change negotiations on plans to increase subcontracting of cabin service on long-haul routes to find cost-reduction solutions. However, the airline decided to end the change negotiations that were started early October on its plan to reduce 200 jobs globally to restore profitability.
The airline has offered the option of re-employment through a change security program called NEXT. By applying to the program interested candidates that have lost their jobs can apply for alternative career options like individual career coaching and training opportunities etc.
Meanwhile, the traffic is expected to return to normal tomorrow, November 22, 2022, but the airline anticipates delays and cancellations in certain individual flights.