Passengers at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. Photo: Roni Rekomaa / Lehtikuva
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Finnair has cancelled around 140 flights scheduled for Friday due to a work stoppage by baggage handlers, aircraft maintenance staff, and catering workers. The disruption will affect approximately 12,000 passengers.
The four-hour strike was called by the Finnish Aviation Union (IAU), but Finnair warned the effects would stretch far beyond the official strike window.
The stoppage is expected to cause widespread disruption throughout the day at Helsinki Airport, as it impacts essential flight support services.
“Although the industrial actions are scheduled for a limited period, they will affect several functions critical for Finnair’s operations, including ground handling, catering, and aircraft maintenance,” the airline said in a statement.
Finnair has notified affected passengers and is offering alternative flight options through its website and mobile application.
Finavia, the company responsible for operating Finland’s airports, advised all travellers departing from Helsinki Airport on Friday to check real-time updates via the airport’s flight information service. Other airlines are also likely to be impacted by the industrial action, given that many use the same ground handling services.
Roughly 600 employees are expected to participate in the work stoppage, which is part of a broader labour dispute. While the IAU has announced a follow-up strike for Monday 5 May, Finnair has not yet confirmed whether that action will lead to further flight cancellations.
The Finnish Aviation Union has not publicly specified the reasons for the industrial action. The disruption comes at the beginning of the May Day weekend, typically a peak travel period in Finland.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
