Latest news with #DarinaKovacheva
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
110 flights cancelled at airline that serves Edinburgh
The IAU has announced a series of industrial actions that will significantly disrupt ground operations at one airport on June 2 and June 4 The Finnish Aviation Union (IAU) has declared a series of strikes starting today at an airline that serves Edinburgh and other UK airports. It will significantly disrupt ground operations at Helsinki Airport on June 2 and June 4. The strikes are due to an ongoing wage dispute between the IAU and the employers' association Palta. As a consequence of the planned four-hour work stoppage today, Finnair has had to cancel roughly 110 flights, affecting around 8,000 passengers. The airline is contacting all impacted customers directly via email or SMS to offer alternative arrangements. The IAU confirmed the strike would go ahead following the failure to reach a resolution in collective bargaining negotiations. The union has also issued further strike warnings for June 11, highlighting the potential for continued disruption. Talks have been at a standstill since late January, with hundreds of flights cancelled in recent months. The main issue revolves around salary increases, with the IAU rejecting a recent proposal by the national mediator. According to the union, aviation sector wage growth has lagged behind other industries. They have cited missed raises in 2021 and 2022 as a key concern, reports Bristol Live. In addition to London Heathrow, Finnair also operates flights 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. Full refunds could be available 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.
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Thousands of passengers face disruption as 110 flights cancelled
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.
Wales Online
15-05-2025
- Wales Online
Thousands of passengers face disruption with flights to be cancelled
Thousands of passengers face disruption with flights to be cancelled There will be delays on Friday and Monday A queue of passengers waiting at the boarding gate Finnair has warned that industrial action by the Finnish Aviation Union on Friday this week, May 16, will result in it cancelling around 60 flights on that day, affecting around 6,000 customers The airline has promised to offer alternative travel options for passengers whose flights might be cancelled. Finnair has also warned that further strikes planned for Monday May 19 could affect more flights, though it says it is still assessing the potential impact of any strikes on that day. On Monday May 19, the destinations with the most significant number of Finnair departures from Helsinki include London Heathrow Airport with six planned departures on that day. In addition to London Heathrow, Finnair also flies to and from Manchester and Edinburgh. When there were two similar strikes on May 2 and 5, Finnair ended up cancelling between a third and a half of flights scheduled for those days. Darina Kovacheva, Head of Legal at airline compensation specialists SkyRefund, said: "The EC 261/2004 regulation on air passenger rights remains applicable during strikes. Airlines must rebook affected passengers to their final destination at the earliest opportunity and offer Duty of Care, such as accommodation and meals, in the event of long delays. "If a flight is cancelled or heavily delayed, passengers may choose to request a refund instead. However, compensation for delays is not owed if the strike involves workers who are not directly employed by the airline. Article continues below "If the strike directly involves Finnair employees, if you present yourself on time for check-in with a valid flight reservation and travel documents, and you are denied boarding you might be entitled to € 250 if the distance you are travelling is 1,500 km or less; € 400 for flights of more than 1,500 km within the European Common Aviation Area and all others between 1,500 and 3,500 km, with all other flights of more than 3,500 km eligible for € 600 compensation. "But the airline you are travelling on is affected but its staff are not striking, and you are still affected, you will not be eligible for financial compensation as the delay or cancellation has been caused by "extraordinary circumstances". But we still advise you to keep receipts for any expenses you incur during the delay."
Daily Record
01-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Thousands of air passengers face chaos with 140 flight cancellations on Friday
The industrial action will see one union hold a four-hour strike on Friday, May 2, with a second strike planned for Monday, May 5. Finnair passengers will be affected An airline has announced it will cancel around 140 flights on Friday, May 2, due to planned strike action by the Finnish Aviation Union (IAU). Among the cancelled Finnair flights are six to London Heathrow, two to Manchester and one to Edinburgh. The industrial action, which is set to last four hours, will occur in "different shifts" throughout Friday, with no specific time frame given by the IAU. The strike is expected to disrupt many aspects of Nordic airline Finnair's flight operations and ground services at Helsinki Airport, reports Bristol Live. Finnair has warned that the cancellations will impact approximately 12,000 customers and due to the high volume of cancellations, rerouting all affected passengers may take some time. Customers also have the option to cancel their booking and apply for a refund. In addition to flight cancellations, the strike is likely to cause delays and disruption to baggage handling and catering services. Finnair has cautioned that some short-haul flights on Friday may operate without baggage and meals onboard. However, long-haul flights will not be affected by the catering restrictions, the airline confirmed. The IAU has also announced similar industrial action for Monday, May 5. Finnair said it is "still assessing the exact effects" on traffic, but that it is likely to cause additional disruption. Helsinki Airport has also warned travellers to expect flight delays and "occasional queues" on both Friday, May 2 and Monday, May 5. What to do if affected by Finnair strike action In a statement, Finnair said: "If your flight is cancelled, we will contact you personally via e-mail or text message as soon as the cancellation has taken place. You will be offered a new route, which will also be visible in Finnair's Manage booking service and mobile application. Due to the high number of cancellations, rerouting all customers may take time, and customers might have to wait for a while for their new route." Darina Kovacheva, Head of Legal at SkyRefund, has provided clarity on the rights of passengers affected by industrial action. She explained: "According to EU Regulation 261/2004, the eligibility for compensation for a flight disrupted by strike action depends largely on who calls the strike and how much control the airline has over it." She continued: "As this strike will involve Finnair employees, if you present yourself on time for check-in with a valid flight reservation and travel documents, and you are denied boarding you might be entitled to € 250 if the distance you are travelling is 1,500 km or less; € 400 for flights of more than 1,500 km within the European Common Aviation Area and all others between 1,500 and 3,500 km, with all other flights of more than 3,500 km eligible for € 600 compensation." She also highlighted the obligations airlines have towards their passengers during such disruptions, saying: "If you're caught up in travel disruptions due to industrial action, regardless of your airline, they must look after you. That means they should provide food and drinks that match the length of your wait, and if you're stuck overnight, they must also cover a hotel stay and transport between the airport and hotel. The timing also matters - you're eligible for this support after a 2-hour delay on short-haul flights, 3 hours on medium-haul flights, and 4 hours on long-haul flights. "But keep in mind, if the airline you are travelling on is not Finnair, and therefore not striking, and you are still affected, you will not be eligible for financial compensation as the delay or cancellation has been caused by 'extraordinary circumstances', for example a strike by airport workers, who don't work for the airline on which you are travelling. Still, it's sensible to hang on to your receipts for any expenses you rack up during the delay."
Scottish Sun
01-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Week of travel chaos continues as European airline cancels over 100 flights tomorrow – impacting thousands of passengers
Plus, the travel chaos across Europe caused by a power outage GROUNDED Week of travel chaos continues as European airline cancels over 100 flights tomorrow – impacting thousands of passengers THE week of travel chaos continues in Europe as a major airline is cancelling over 100 flights, impacting thousands of travellers. Finnair has cancelled 140 flights due to take off tomorrow, as part of planned strike action. Advertisement 2 Finnair has cancelled 140 flights tomorrow Credit: Alamy The disruption is estimated to impact over 12,000 passengers across Europe. The strike action, which is being carried out by the Finnish Aviation Union (IAU), is expected top impact six flights to London Heathrow, two to Manchester and one to Edinburgh. The industrial action will last four hours but is due to take place in "different shifts" and is not tied to a specific time, according to the IAU. In addition to flight cancellations, delays and disruptions are expected across baggage handling and catering services. Advertisement Finnair has warned that some short-haul flights may be operated without baggage and meals loaded onto the aircraft. Though, long-haul flights will not be impacted by the catering limitations. In addition, the IAU announced that similar industrial action is scheduled for May 5. Finnair said it is 'still assessing the exact effects' on traffic, but that it is likely to cause additional disruption. Advertisement Helsinki Airport has also warned travellers to expect flight delays and "occasional queues" on both May 2 and May 5. In a statement on Facebook, Finnair said: "If your flight is cancelled, we will contact you personally via e-mail or text message as soon as the cancellation has taken place. Airport mistakes to avoid: From gate delays to overpriced currency exchange "You will be offered a new route, which will also be visible in Finnair's 'Manage booking' service and mobile application. "Due to the high number of cancellations, rerouting all customers may take time, and customers might have to wait for a while for their new route." Advertisement The action is expected to affect "many functions" related to Finnair's flight operations and ground services at Helsinki Airport, too. Darina Kovacheva, head of legal at airline compensation specialists SkyRefund, said: "According to EU Regulation 261/2004, the eligibility for compensation for a flight disrupted by strike action depends largely on who calls the strike and how much control the airline has over it. "As this strike will involve Finnair employees, if you present yourself on time for check-in with a valid flight reservation and travel documents, and you are denied boarding you might be entitled to €250 (£212.55) if the distance you are travelling is 1,500 km or less. "[Or] €400 (£340.08) for flights of more than 1,500 km within the European Common Aviation Area and all others between 1,500 and 3,500 km, with all other flights of more than 3,500 km eligible for €600 (£510.13) compensation." Advertisement Flight compensation rules A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs. What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed? Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late. If you're flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight. You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven't used yet. So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded. But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline. When am I not entitled to compensation? The airline doesn't have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather. Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other 'extraordinary circumstances' are not eligible for compensation. Some airlines may stretch the definition of "extraordinary circumstances" but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled? If you can't claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you. Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer. Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof. If your flight is cancelled entirely, you're unlikely to be covered by your insurance. Timing also matters, as passengers are eligible for support after a two hour delay on short-haul flights, three hours on medium-haul flights and four hours on long-hauil flights. Darina added: "But keep in mind, if the airline you are travelling on is not Finnair, and therefore not striking, and you are still affected, you will not be eligible for financial compensation. "[This is because] the delay or cancellation has been caused by 'extraordinary circumstances', for example a strike by airport workers, who don't work for the airline on which you are travelling. "Still, it's sensible to hang on to your receipts for any expenses you rack up during the delay." Advertisement Flights across Europe recently suffered disruptions after Spain lost power. Plus, this week, a UK airport suddenly shut with flights cancelled after a plane 'collapsed' during landing.
