**Thousands of Travellers Affected as Over 100 Finnair Flights Cancelled Due to Strike Action**
Air travel across Finland has been thrown into turmoil as a major wave of industrial action led to the cancellation of approximately 110 flights operated by Finnair, leaving around 8,000 passengers facing significant disruption. The Finnish Aviation Union (IAU) initiated a four-hour work stoppage at Helsinki Airport today, marking another escalation in a protracted dispute over pay and conditions.
The industrial action comes after months of stalled negotiations between the IAU and the employers’ association, Palta. With both sides unable to reach a consensus, the union confirmed the strike would go ahead, adding that additional walkouts are already scheduled for 2 June and 4 June, with another potential strike day announced for 11 June. The sheer scale and unpredictability of this ongoing conflict underscore the volatility currently facing air travellers using Helsinki Airport, the nation’s busiest aviation hub.
Finnair has sought to reassure passengers by sending direct notifications via email and SMS to all affected customers, offering alternative travel options where possible. “We understand the disappointment and inconvenience these actions cause, and we are doing everything in our power to minimise the impact,” the airline stated in an official communication to passengers. However, widespread frustration remains as thousands of holidaymakers and business travellers are forced to amend their plans at short notice.
While Helsinki serves as the primary base for Finnair, the airline’s UK-bound flights to and from cities such as London Heathrow, Manchester, and Edinburgh have also been hit by cancellations. As a result, disruption is being felt well beyond Finnish borders, with many UK passengers left scrambling to make alternative arrangements in light of the uncertainty.
At the heart of the dispute is the union’s demand for a pay rise to close what it sees as a widening gap between aviation sector wages and those in other Finnish industries. Union representatives argue that aviation workers missed crucial salary increases in both 2021 and 2022, leaving them lagging behind. The IAU recently rejected a mediator’s proposal, stating it did not go far enough to address these disparities or correct missed raises from previous bargaining periods.
Despite the industrial action, consumer rights for affected passengers remain enshrined under European legislation, specifically EC 261/2004. According to Darina Kovacheva, Head of Legal at specialist firm SkyRefund, “Airlines are obliged to rebook passengers at the earliest possible opportunity and to provide support such as meals and accommodation where delays are substantial.” Furthermore, passengers whose flights are cancelled outright may be entitled to a full refund or, in cases where the strike involves airline staff themselves, compensation of up to €600 per person depending on the journey’s length.
However, there is a crucial caveat: if the disruption is the result of strike action by third-party employees, such as ground-handling staff not directly employed by Finnair, compensation may not apply as these events are classified as ‘extraordinary circumstances.’ Nonetheless, travel experts advise affected passengers to keep all receipts and records of extra expenses for possible later claims.
As negotiations remain deadlocked since their breakdown in late January, the potential for further escalation looms. Hundreds of Finnair flights have already been impacted over recent months, with no sign that either side is prepared to back down. Meanwhile, airline officials have advised those due to travel in the coming days to closely monitor their email and mobile for updates and to check the Finnair website for real-time information on flight status.
With the summer travel season set to begin, many in the aviation industry are concerned about the long-term repercussions. The situation highlights broader tensions in the sector, where pay and working conditions are coming under renewed scrutiny as air travel demand rises and post-pandemic recovery efforts intensify.
As this dispute unfolds, passengers and airlines alike face continued uncertainty. For now, the key advice remains to stay alert to airline communications and to be prepared for potential changes. Whether a breakthrough can be reached in the next round of talks remains to be seen, but for the thousands currently grounded, a swift resolution cannot come soon enough.