Airport Strike in Helsinki Brings Over 100 Finnair Cancellations
Finnair has confirmed that around 110 of its flights will not operate on Friday, 30 May, due to industrial action at Helsinki Airport. The Finnish Aviation Union (IAU) is staging a four-hour work stoppage that will affect several key ground-based operations throughout the day, including aircraft handling and technical services. These disruptions are expected to impact a wide portion of the airline’s scheduled services.
The announced strike follows similar actions seen earlier in May and is expected to affect Finnair’s ability to maintain normal flight operations. According to the airline, close to 8,000 passengers will be affected. Travellers whose flights are cancelled will be notified directly and can check for updated bookings via the Finnair app or website. Rebooking options are available, as well as full refunds for unused tickets.
We are deeply sorry that our customers' important travel plans are once again disrupted. We are doing everything we can to provide our customers with alternative routing as quickly as possible.
Most of the flight cancellations involve routes operating through Finnair’s Helsinki hub, particularly short-haul services within Europe. Flights heading to nearby countries like Sweden, Estonia, and Germany are expected to be hit the hardest, along with several other places across Northern and Central Europe that rely on quick Helsinki transfers. Long-haul flights may also see delays if ground operations continue to be affected. Passengers are advised to review their travel plans and consider changing dates where possible.
Finnair recommends that travellers scheduled to fly on strike days check in online ahead of time and arrive early at the airport. Carry-on baggage should include essential personal items, including any medications, in case of baggage handling issues. If you’ve got flights booked for 2 or 4 June, it’s wise to stay alert because more strikes are coming on those days and there’s a strong chance they will mess with the flight schedule again.
This situation reflects a broader challenge for air passengers who rely on consistent airport operations. For travellers changing planes in Helsinki, the strike throws a wrench into their plans and could mean rethinking routes or adjusting travel times altogether. With summer travel approaching, travellers may need to factor in additional buffer time and monitor strike-related updates more closely when flying through Finland.