Industrial action at Helsinki Airport has seen airline Finnair cancel approximately 60 flights, with further cancellations and delays also expected. Passengers travelling through Helsinki can expect congestion and baggage delays, as strikes impact nearly all aspects of airport operations: from customer service to catering.
Disruptions Hit Helsinki: The Second Round of May Strikes
The Finnish Aviation Union (IAU) recently announced multi-day industrial action at Helsinki Airport, taking place on May 16 and 19 2025.
The strikes are affecting a variety of airport services, with disruption occurring in aircraft maintenance, ground handling, customer service, baggage handling, catering and more. Those travelling through Helsinki can expect flight delays, an increase in wait times, as well as potential flight cancellations.
As a result of the strikes, airline Finnair have announced a series of flight cancellations. Approximately 6,000 passengers will be affected by the flight cancellations, with more transferring to alternative flights.
Earlier this month, the airline was forced to cancel approximately 140 flights due to industrial action that took place on May 2. This four-hour strike affected nearly 12,000 passengers, and disrupted a multitude of flight operations.
The work stoppages were strategically scheduled throughout the course of the day, paralysing flight operations during a busy May Day weekend of travel.
The following week saw civil aviation workers strike in Toulouse, as May increasingly becomes a month marked by a series of travel disruptions for many travelling through Europe.
What Should I do if my Flight is Affected?
Finnair has promised to address passenger concerns by providing alternative flights or refunds to those affected.
To check if your flight is disrupted, visit the live departures board for Helsinki Airport and search for your flight number.
Finnair will also contact all customers with affected personally by email or SMS with a new travel plan, so it is important to ensure that your details are up-to-date in the Finnair app or website.
Customers are able to access this new travel plan in the ‘Manage booking’ section of the Finnair app or website.
If you want to rearrange your travel plan or apply for a refund, you can contact Finnair Customer Service.
Have your flights ever been affected by industrial action? Tell us your story below.
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