Finnair cancels over 100 flights due to cabin crew strike

Finnish airline Finnair has announced that it is canceling about 100 flights scheduled for November 20 and 21 due to a strike by flight attendants these days, according to the website of the state carrier. Employees decided to go on strike after Finnair failed to agree cost-saving measures with them.

Finnair had to cancel about 100 flights departing from Helsinki Airport on Sunday 20 November and Monday 21 November. statement.

The company clarified that the Finnish trade union of transport workers AKT announced a strike of Finnair flight attendants in Helsinki. On November 19, the carrier began offering passengers other routes, this work is ongoing, Finnair added.

The strike, as noted, does not affect flights operated by Norra, a Finnair subsidiary. In addition, flights operated by Finnair partners, such as Singapore and India, are not cancelled.

“We deeply regret the concern and inconvenience this strike is causing to our customers and are doing everything we can to redirect our customers as soon as possible,” said Finnair COO Jaakko Schildt.

According to him, the union “choose the path of an illegal strike instead of negotiations”, which continued throughout the autumn. The company has discussed planned cost reductions with unions, but failed to reach an agreement with flight attendants, Schildt added.

The company explained that Finnair has been discussing with all groups of its employees the cost reduction options needed to restore profitability amid the losses and debt Finnair has faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the closure of Russian airspace “significantly affects Finnair’s ability to make a profit.”

For flight attendants, Finnair offered to change the rules for staying at hotels and additional hourly pay for long flights, as the closure of Russian airspace increased the flight time to Asia. “Since no agreement has been reached with the flight attendants, Finnair should consider alternative arrangements,” the company said. Finnair’s work will continue as usual on the afternoon of November 21, but the strike could still affect individual flights, delays and cancellations are possible, the company warned.