Finnair, Finland’s flag carrier, has announced that it will furlough 36 long-haul pilots starting in late September 2025, lasting until at least May 2026.
This decision stems from Qantas Airways halving its existing wet-lease agreement with Finnair. The move by the Australian national carrier was triggered by ongoing labour disputes with Finnair’s pilots’ union.
The situation highlights the complexities of airline partnerships and the ripple effects of labour unrest in the aviation industry.
The Finnair-Qantas Wet-Lease Deal
In May 2023, Finnair and Qantas, both Oneworld alliance members, signed a long-term wet-lease agreement. Finnair supplied two Airbus A330-300 aircraft, along with pilots and cabin crew. Under the lease, they would operate flights for the Australian carrier from Sydney to Singapore and Bangkok.
The deal, which began in October 2023 for Singapore routes and March 2024 for Bangkok, benefitted both airlines.
Finnair repurposed its A330s, which were limited by Russian airspace closures, while the Australian flag carrier addressed post-pandemic aircraft and crew shortages.
Finnair pilots, based in Helsinki, flew scheduled Finnair flights to Singapore or Bangkok before operating Qantas routes to Sydney and back.
Cabin crew came from Finnair’s partners in Asia, with Qantas providing inflight services. The arrangement was a win-win, but labour issues soon disrupted this synergy.
Finnair Decision to Furlough Pilots
The furloughs result from Qantas reducing the wet-lease deal to one aircraft, affecting either the Sydney-Singapore or Sydney-Bangkok route.
This decision followed labour disputes with Finnair’s pilots, represented by the Finnish Air Line Pilots’ Association (SLL).
Since late 2024, the union has enforced an overtime ban and refused standby duties during wage and work rule negotiations. These actions disrupted Finnair’s flight schedules, including Qantas operations.
Finnair pilots’ refusal to work standby shifts caused delays, as crews often couldn’t reach Singapore or Bangkok on time for Qantas flights. Frustrated by the unreliability, Qantas scaled back the agreement, which will continue with one aircraft through 2027.
Finnair warned in February 2025 that up to 90 pilot jobs were at risk if Qantas ended the deal entirely. After negotiations, including mediation by Finland’s National Conciliator, Finnair settled on furloughing 36 pilots.
The Labour Dispute’s Role
The SLL argues it protected Qantas operations under a separate agreement, but Finnair claims the standby ban impacted these flights. Finnair’s chief operating officer, Jaakko Schildt, noted that the pilots’ actions undermined the airline’s reliability, forcing Qantas’ hand.
The dispute centres on Finnair’s push for mandatory standby duties, which the union wants to remain voluntary. This clash reflects broader tensions in aviation, where cost-cutting and operational demands often conflict with labour rights.
Qantas’ Response and Future Plans
Qantas reported no immediate flight disruptions and has mitigation plans. The wet-lease was a temporary fix, with a dry lease using Qantas pilots and crew planned for October 2025.
Qantas will operate Finnair’s A330s until 2028, when newer Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s replace them. This transition aligns with Qantas’ recovery from pandemic-related capacity constraints.
Looking Ahead
Finnair employs about 1,000 pilots, with 90 supporting the Qantas deal. The furlough of 36 pilots is a targeted cut, but it highlights the airline’s challenges.
Russian airspace closures forced Finnair to pivot from its Asia-focused strategy, making partnerships like Qantas’ critical. The labour dispute’s fallout threatens further operational and financial strain.
This case goes to show just how labour disputes can cascade and even disrupt global airline partnerships.
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