Pilots from the Finnish Air Line Pilots’ Association will strike on December 9 and 13, 2024. The planned pilot strike has forced Finnair to cancel approximately 300 flights.
The strike will affect around 33,000 passengers and may impact additional flights immediately before and after these dates. The industrial action will create significant disruption during the busy pre-Christmas travel season.
Disruption of Pre-Christmas Travel
Finnair’s Chief Operating Officer Jaakko Schildt gave comment on the service disruption. “We’re disappointed that the pilots’ association has chosen to strike instead of continuing negotiations,” he said.
“This disrupts holiday travel for thousands of customers during the pre-Christmas period. We’re working hard to serve our customers in this challenging situation and will provide alternative flights wherever possible.”
The airline will now cancel roughly 140 flights on December 9 and 150 flights on December 13. Customers will receive cancellation notifications and, when available, details about their new flight arrangements through Finnair’s Manage booking service and mobile app.
The airline said that it is working around the clock to minimize disruption and find alternative travel solutions for affected passengers.
However, due to the high volume of affected travelers, not everyone will receive ideal alternative flight times, it warns. In these cases, passengers should contact Finnair customer service to explore other options. If no suitable alternative is found, customers can request a refund either through Finnair’s customer service or their travel agent if the ticket was purchased through an agency.
Finnair Operational Measures
The strike’s timing is particularly challenging as it coincides with peak holiday travel, when many passengers are planning important family visits and vacation trips. Finnair’s operations team is mobilizing all available resources to handle the situation and provide support to affected customers.
“We deeply regret the uncertainty and disruption this causes our customers,” Schildt explains. “Rearranging flights for thousands of passengers takes time, and our customer service will experience high call volumes this weekend.”
“We ask for patience as our team works diligently to help customers maintain their travel plans despite these circumstances.”
Finnair advises passengers booked on flights during the affected period to check their email regularly and monitor the airline’s website for updates. The airline recommends passengers only contact customer service if their travel date is within the next 72 hours, helping to manage call volumes effectively.
About Finnair
Finnair serves as a vital network airline, strategically connecting Asia, the Middle East, North America, and Europe through its comprehensive passenger and cargo network. As the only airline offering year-round direct flights to Lapland, Finnair has established itself as a crucial link to Northern Europe.
Recognition of Finnair’s service excellence is reflected in its naming as Best Airline in Northern Europe at the Skytrax Awards for 14 consecutive years. A proud member of the oneworld alliance, Finnair Plc trades on the Nasdaq Helsinki stock exchange.
A list of Finnair cancelled flights stemming from the pilot strike can be found here. Detailed instructions for customers are available in the Travel updates section of the airline’s website.
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