Finnair strikes disrupt flights across Europe

It’s possible that your itinerary is outdated if you fly with Finnair between July 2nd and 7th. After talks with the Finnish Aviation Union collapsed, Finnair has confirmed it will operate more than 900 flight between July 2nd-7th. The disruptions are strikes covering baggage, catering, and tarmac operations, which directly affect Helsinki airport, where  Finnair is most vulnerable. The union announced that four more strike days could be held on July 16, 18, 21, and 23. This would make it difficult for travellers to decide whether they should book, wait, or gamble on the late notice. 

It’s not a single day glitch or a weather-related delay. The strike is happening at the height summer travel season in Europe. You may be already caught up in this labour standoff, depending on the date of your departure. It’s a labor standoff that could catch you in the middle of summer 2025 travel. 

This time the problem is not with the pilots.

Striking workers aren’t at the check-in desks or cockpits. They are those who work behind the scenes, loading baggage, fueling aircraft, preparing cabins and even guiding planes into place. As soon as they walk away, the rest of the airport comes to a complete halt.

After rejecting a new collective bargaining agreement in late-June, the Finnish Aviation Union is now taking matters to a higher level. The unions wanted a fair deal to be offered for the ground handling crews who, according representatives of the union, had not received any meaningful pay increases despite inflation and rising costs.

It’s not the first time there have been disruptions.

• Finnair The 11th, the 17th and the 19th of this month saw a walkout. Up to seven days of strike action in July have caused dozens cancellations, and delayed many flights throughout Europe. This has now become more than just an inconvenience.
• EasyJet cabin personnel walked off their jobs last month. This left over 1,000 passengers stranded on airports in Spain, UK and France. Baggage strikes followed in Italy, and then pilot actions in France.
• This is the beginning of a revolution in a travel industry that promised smooth summer vacations, only to cut out those who made it happen.

This is more than just a simple delay.

It’s not just Finnair that is feeling the heat. These strikes are a part of a larger pattern which is setting Europe up for problems this summer. Passengers are caught in the middle.

The Finnish Aviation Union is calling for a new wave of action against ground operations on 7 July. Helsinki Airport. Expect around 900 cancellations of flights during the first period of strike. Although passengers will receive confirmation up to 48 hours in advance of their flight, uncertainty may begin long before then.

• EasyJet’s strikes have added to the summer stress. While in Spain, EasyJet cabin staff members struck from June 25th through 27th for wage parity. This resulted in 200 cancellations, and could have left thousands of passengers stranded.
• The Uso Union warns of a strike that will last until the end of August if a deal is not reached.

What does this mean for you?

There is no single airline to blame; there is a major summer disruption that is unfolding on the ground, as cost, labour and demand collide. If you have booked your flight in mid-July. 

• You can also find out more about us on our website. Finnair could still flyHowever, the confidence level will be low until 48 hours before the event.
• You may face ongoing uncertainty four additional strike dates loom.
  This disruption wave Your itinerary might already include this information, even if you don’t realise it.
  

Your summer travel 2025

You know this deeper issue if you’ve seen the recent travel chaos or the weather in Madrid Marseille or Helsinki. The aviation industry is at its limit:

• The ground crews are demanding better hours
• Pilots with fair contracts 
• Cabin staff wants safety guarantees
• They must do this if they want travellers to be able to tell if the flight that they paid for will depart.

Since years, airlines have relied heavily on low-visibility workers, or those who perform their duties without being noticed. As long as they are treated as short-term problems, passengers will continue paying for a system running at the edge.

It’s important to check your flights, stay informed, and remember that flying isn’t all about jets. Unexpectedly, the future of flying isn’t just about jets. People are speaking louder now than ever before. 

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