Overview

• The Finnish Aviation Union will halt ground operations for four hours on June 17 and again on June 19 at Helsinki Airport, leading to 143 flight cancellations on June 17 alone.
• The industrial action stems from a pay dispute with employer group PALTA after Finnair Group employees saw a 6.4% wage rise from 2020 to 2023 versus a 10.4% national average.
• Each strike day costs Finnair and operator Finavia an estimated €10–€20 million in lost revenue, contributing to a projected €100–€150 million sector loss by summer’s end.
• Around 6,500 travellers will be disrupted on June 17, including up to 11,520 UK passengers on 54–64 flights, and Finnair is offering rebookings or refunds.
• Passengers affected by the walkouts are entitled to meals, accommodation and assistance but not to EU261 compensation, prompting many to reroute through Sweden, Norway or Estonia.