Finnair has announced the cancellation of approximately 100 flights on May 5, 2025, due to industrial action by the Finnish Aviation Union at Helsinki Airport.
According to Finnair’s official travel updates page, the Finnish Aviation Union (IAU) has declared a work stoppage at Helsinki Airport, affecting Finnair’s ability to operate flights. The strike impacts several critical services, including customer service, baggage handling, aircraft maintenance, cargo logistics, and catering. Consequently, Finnair is canceling around 100 flights and advises customers to monitor their bookings online or via the Finnair app for updates and rebooking options.
As reported by Yle News, the strike by the Finnish Aviation Union is expected to affect approximately 7,500 passengers and involve about 600 ground service workers. Key services impacted include baggage loading, catering delivery, and maintenance work. This may result in flights departing without food service or with limited baggage. Finnair states it aims to operate some long-haul flights with adjusted services; however, short-haul flights will face significant disruption.
According to The Sun, this industrial action follows a previous strike by the same union that led to the cancellation of 140 Finnair flights and disrupted travel plans for more than 12,000 passengers. The Sun notes these consecutive strikes reflect rising labor tensions across the European aviation sector. Finnair acknowledges potential further disruptions if negotiations with the Finnish Aviation Union remain unresolved.
According to Finnair’s corporate profile, it is Finland’s national flag carrier and a founding member of the Oneworld alliance. Headquartered in Helsinki, Finnair operates a modern fleet that includes Airbus A350s and A320s and serves over 100 destinations in Europe, Asia, and North America. The airline is recognized for its sustainability leadership, punctual operations, and Nordic service standards and consistently ranks as one of Europe’s most reliable airlines.
