summary
- Finnair is preparing for a 48-hour strike and is offering passengers the option to change their flights to avoid disruption.
- The airline plans to cancel flights once the impact of the strike becomes clear and aims to transfer affected customers to alternative flights.
- The strike could also disrupt ground services, baggage handling and catering, and the disruption could extend beyond the two-day strike period.
Finnair is reacting to several Finnish trade unions announcing a 48-hour strike, which will also affect the company’s operations. The strike is scheduled for February 1st and will continue until the next day. The company is still assessing all potential impacts, but said around 60,000 customers could be affected during the industrial action in early February.
No changes to flight schedule yet
The Finnish airline has not yet changed its flight schedule for the two-day period, but has already offered passengers the chance to change their flight to another Finnair flight to avoid a strike. The airline details that passengers flying between January 31st and February 3rd can travel early or postpone their trip to any date up to March 15th. did.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
Jari Pajanen, Finnair’s vice president of operations management, said it was clear that the airstrike would disrupt flight operations. But airlines continue to hope that as many passengers as possible can find suitable alternative flights and avoid uncertainty.
“Also, depending on the situation, customer service may be busy, so we ask customers to be patient.”
Finnair said it would begin canceling flights once the impact of the industrial action became more apparent and communicated that information to all passengers whose itineraries may be affected during the two-day strike. Pajanen noted that the airline aims to reroute customers to flights before and after the event, and executives reiterated Finnair’s communication efforts with customers.
Photo: NYC Russ | Shutterstock
The airline also said there may be disruptions to ground services, baggage handling and food and beverage catering during the strike. However, Finnair also warned that disruption during the 48-hour industrial action could continue over the next few days, as its flights are round trips.
“We deeply regret that our customers’ business and leisure travel plans are being disrupted due to political action unrelated to Finnair. It affects their image of Finland.”
Meanwhile, Finavia, which manages Helsinki Airport (HEL) and other domestic airports, said in an initial statement that the industrial action does not target the company and that Finavia employees will not take part in the strike. He said he had not. Nevertheless, the airline is monitoring the situation and will notify you of any changes that may occur in the coming days. We are appealing for information.
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