Finnair announced the cancellation of approximately 60 flights on May 16, 2025, due to industrial action by the Finnish Aviation Union (IAU) at Helsinki Airport. The airline made this announcement on X.
According to an official update from Finnair, the IAU has declared industrial action on May 16 and 19, 2025, which will significantly disrupt ground services at Helsinki Airport. The strike affects customer service, baggage handling, ground operations, and aircraft maintenance, all critical for flight scheduling and safety. Finnair said that passengers should expect widespread delays and cancellations on both dates as a result of these labor actions.
As reported by Yle News, the IAU’s four-hour work stoppage on May 16 is expected to impact roughly 6,000 Finnair passengers, with approximately 60 flights already canceled in anticipation. Finnair’s Chief Operating Officer Jaakko Schildt explained that the limited duration of the strike still has a substantial cascading effect on schedules and airport operations. The airline is proactively working on rebooking and customer service solutions and has encouraged travelers to monitor real-time updates.