Thousands of passengers face disruption as 110 flights cancelled

Wales Online

5 days ago

Thousands of passengers face disruption as 110 flights cancelled
Two more days of diruption have already been announced
Expect delays at the airport
The Finnish Aviation Union (IAU) has announced a series of industrial actions starting today that will significantly disrupt ground operations at Helsinki Airport on June 2 and June 4. The strikes are the result of an ongoing dispute over wages between the IAU and the employers' association Palta.
As a result of the planned four-hour work stoppage today, Finnair has been forced to cancel approximately 110 flights, impacting around 8,000 passengers. The airline is contacting all affected customers directly via email or SMS to provide alternative arrangements.
‌
The IAU confirmed the strike would proceed following the failure to reach a resolution in collective bargaining negotiations. The union has also issued further strike warnings for 11 June, underscoring the potential for continued disruption.
‌
Negotiations have been stalled since late January, with hundreds of flights cancelled in recent months. The core issue centers on salary increases, with the IAU rejecting a recent proposal by the national mediator. According to the union, aviation sector wage growth has fallen behind other industries, citing missed raises in 2021 and 2022 as a key concern.
In addition to London Heathrow, Finnair also flies to and from Manchester and Edinburgh.
‌
Passenger Rights During the Industrial Action:
Despite the industrial action, air passengers' rights remain protected under European regulation EC 261/2004.
"Airlines are required to rebook affected passengers to their final destinations at the earliest opportunity and provide Duty of Care—such as meals and hotel accommodations—in cases of significant delays," said Darina Kovacheva, Head of Legal at airline compensation specialist SkyRefund.
Article continues below
Passengers whose flights are cancelled or significantly delayed may opt for a full refund. Compensation eligibility depends on the nature of the strike:
If the strike involves Finnair's own employees, eligible passengers may receive compensation ranging from €250 to €600, depending on the flight distance.
If the disruption results from strikes by third-party staff, such as ground handlers not directly employed by the airline, the event is classified as an "extraordinary circumstance," and compensation is not owed. Nevertheless, passengers are advised to retain receipts for any related expenses.
Finnair encourages customers traveling on affected dates to monitor their email and SMS messages for updates and to visit the airline's website for the latest travel information.