FINNAIR has warned that industrial action is likely to lead to cancelled flights this weekend.
Due to strike action by the Finnish Aviation Union, on May 16 will cancel around 60 flights, impacting 6,000 customers.
Further strike action is also due to take place on May 19, which could impact more flights – though the airline is still assessing the potential impact for that day.
On May 19, the destinations with the most significant number of Finnair departures from include Heathrow Airport with six planned departures on that day.
In addition to , Finnair also flies to and from and .
The airline has promised to offer alternative travel options for passengers whosemight be canceled.
Jaakko Schildt, COO of Finnair, said: “We are very sorry for the changes to our customers’ travel plans caused by this situation.
“We are doing our best to offer our customers new routing as quickly as possible.”;;
Similar industrial action occurred on May 2 and May 5, with the airline having to cancel between a third and a half of scheduled flights for those days.
In terms of the rights of passengers affected by the industrial action, Darina Kovacheva, head of legal at airline compensation specialists SkyRefund, said: “The EC 261/2004 regulation on air passenger rights remains applicable during strikes.
“Airlines must rebook affected passengers to their final destination at the earliest opportunity and offer Duty of Care, such as accommodation and meals, in the event of long delays.”;;
Darina added that if a flight is cancelled or heavily delayed, passengers may choose to request a refund instead.
“However, compensation for delays is not owed if the strike involves workers who are not directly employed by the airline.
“If the strike directly involves Finnair employees, if you present yourself on time for check-in with a valid flight reservation and travel documents, and you are you might be entitled to €250 (£210.96) if the distance you are travelling is 1,500 km or less.”;;
For flights over 1,500km within the and all other areas between 1,500km and 3,500km, passengers are entitled to €400 (£337.54) and all other flights of more than 3,500km eligible for €600 (£506.31) compensation.
“But the airline you are travelling on is affected but its staff are not striking, and you are still affected, you will not be eligible for financial compensation as the delay or cancellation has been caused by ‘extraordinary circumstances’,”;; added Darina.
“But we still advise you to keep receipts for any expenses you incur during the delay.”;;
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