THE week of travel chaos continues in Europe as a major airline is cancelling over 100 flights, impacting thousands of travellers.
has cancelled 140 flights due to take off tomorrow, as part of planned strike action.
The disruption is estimated to impact over 12,000 passengers across .
The strike action, which is being carried out by the Finnish Aviation Union (IAU), is expected top impact six flights to London Heathrow, two to and one to .
The industrial action will last four hours but is due to take place in “different shifts”; and is not tied to a specific time, according to the IAU.
In addition to flight cancellations, delays and disruptions are expected across and catering services.
Finnair has warned that some may be operated without baggage and meals loaded onto the aircraft.
Though, will not be impacted by the catering limitations.
In addition, the IAU announced that similar is scheduled for May 5.
Finnair said it is “still assessing the exact effects”; on traffic, but that it is likely to cause additional disruption.
has also warned travellers to expect flight delays and “occasional queues”; on both May 2 and May 5.
In a statement on , Finnair said: “If your flight is cancelled, we will contact you personally via e-mail or text message as soon as the cancellation has taken place.
“You will be offered a which will also be visible in Finnair’s ‘Manage booking’ service and mobile application.
“Due to the high number of cancellations, rerouting all customers may take time, and customers might have to wait for a while for their new route.”;
The action is expected to affect “many functions”; related to Finnair’s flight operations and ground services at Helsinki Airport, too.
Darina Kovacheva, head of legal at airline compensation specialists SkyRefund, said: “According to EU Regulation 261/2004, the eligibility for compensation for a depends largely on who calls the strike and how much control the airline has over it.
“As this strike will involve 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 (£212.55) if the distance you are travelling is 1,500 km or less.
“[Or] €400 (£340.08) for flights of more than 1,500 km within the European Common Aviation Area and all others between 1,500 and 3,500 km, with all other flights of more than 3,500 km eligible for €600 (£510.13)
Timing also matters, as passengers are eligible for support after a two hour delay on short-haul flights, three hours on medium-haul flights and four hours on long-hauil flights.
Darina added: “But keep in mind, if the airline you are travelling on is not Finnair, and therefore not striking, and you are still affected, you will not be eligible for financial compensation.
“[This is because] the delay or cancellation has been caused by ‘extraordinary circumstances’, for example a strike bywho don’t work for the airline on which you are travelling.
“Still, it’s sensible to hang on to your receipts for any expenses you rack up during the delay.”;
Flights across
Plus, this week,
