Finnair has announced it will cancel approximately 110 flights on Wednesday, 4 June, due to industrial action by the Finnish Aviation Union (IAU) at Helsinki Airport. The airline expects the disruption to affect around 11,000 customers and has begun rebooking passengers on alternative flights where possible.
The IAU’s industrial action, set to take place in staggered four-hour blocks targeting different work shifts, is expected to cause widespread operational disruptions throughout the day. The strikes will affect essential services such as ground handling and catering, both of which are critical to Finnair’s flight operations.
According to Finnair, affected passengers will be contacted directly once their flight is cancelled and offered alternative routings. These will also appear in the “Manage booking” tool and Finnair’s mobile app. Customers will have the option to accept the proposed new flight, rebook within available options, or cancel their reservation and apply for a refund for any unused portion of the ticket.
Finnair had already allowed customers scheduled to travel on 4 June to proactively reschedule their flights. Thousands have reportedly taken advantage of this option to avoid travel disruptions.
Travellers flying on 4 June are advised to:
Check in online in advance
Arrive at the airport early
Pack essential items, including medication, in their carry-on luggage, as baggage handling delays may occur
Customers are also reminded to ensure their contact details are correctly listed in their booking to receive timely updates from the airline.
The IAU has announced a similar industrial action for Wednesday, 11 June. Finnair is currently assessing its impact and anticipates potential disruptions, particularly to flights operated by its regional partner Norra.
This latest wave of strikes follows earlier action by the IAU on 30 May and 2 June, which led to the cancellation of around 50 flights and affected more than 3,600 passengers.
Finnair continues to monitor the situation and will update passengers as more information becomes available.