Finnair has cancelled around 70 flights today (Thursday), including four to the UK, due to industrial action at Helsinki Airport.
The country’s largest airline said the cancellations will affect 6,500 customers as three sections of the Finnish Aviation Union (IAU) and the Finnish Transport Workers’ Union (AKT) walk out between 2pm and 4pm local time.
Two flights to London Heathrow are cancelled this afternoon, at 2pm and 4pm, along with a 4.10pm departure to Manchester and a 4.55pm departure to Edinburgh.
A 10.20am flight from Heathrow to Helsinki is also cancelled.
The industrial action will impact Helsinki Airport’s operations, including customer service at the airport, baggage handling, and other ground services.
Finnair said it will offer alternative flights to affected customers.
Finnair Chief Operating Officer Jaakko Schildt said: “The effects of this industrial actions on our customers are unreasonable – approximately 6500 customers will have to change their travel plans when flights must be cancelled. We will do our very best to offer a suitable new routing to everyone.
“We are very sorry for the concern and the changes to our customers’ travel plans caused by this situation. We ask for patience from customers, and we will do our best to ensure that customers can carry out their travel plans despite this unfortunate situation.”
