Finnair pilots finally reach collective bargaining deal

Pilots of the national flag carrier Finnair on Sunday finally reached a collective bargaining agreement with the airline regarding working conditions, said Finnair in a press release.

The pilots' union SLL reached the agreement with the Service Sector Employers' Association (Palta).

The negotiation result, which covers three years, with the last year optional, needs approval by both parties' administrations.

The negotiations were going on since August, 2024 as the previous collective agreement pilots expired in October last year.

"I am very pleased that we have reached a result after lengthy negotiations. Finnair pilots are a group of top professionals vital for our hundred-year history. This agreement is a platform on which we build our future together,” said Kaisa Aalto-Luoto, Finnair's Chief People Officer in the press release.

Meanwhile, the labour dispute regarding ground service operations remained unsolved as no agreement was reached yet.

Further negotiation talks in this regard will resume on Monday.

Finnair had to cancel several hundreds of flights during the recent period due to strikes observed by the Finnish Aviation Union (IAU)

The IAU also announced strike strike on June 11, 17 and 19.

Earlier on June 5, Finnair said that the strike announced by IAU will cause large-scale disruptions to operations at Helsinki Airport.

According to IAU, the four-hour strikes will affect different work shifts. As Finnair is the largest airline operating at Helsinki Airport, the industrial action will impact all essential ground services related to Finnair flights throughout the day.

Finnair said that the effects of the strike will be more significant than those of previous strikes. Finnair flies over 600 flights on June 17 and 19.

If the strike goes ahead, a majority of these flights will likely be cancelled and flights on days surrounding the strikes could be affected.

However, the effects of the strike on June 11 will be minor and Finnair aims to operate its flights on the day as scheduled.

Finnair cancelled about 110 flights on June 4 due to a four-hour strike enforced by the trade unions.

On June 2, Finnair cancelled about 50 flights due to the strike.

Earlier on May 30, Finnair cancelled about 110 flights due to a four-hour strike enforced by the trade unions.

On May 19, Finnair also cancelled about 110 flights due to the strike observed by the unions.

On May 16, Finnair cancelled about 60 flights due to a four-hour strike enforced by the trade unions.

On May 5, Finnair cancelled about 100 flights due to a four-hour strike enforced by the trade unions.

Finnair also cancelled about 140 flights on May 2 due to strike.

On March 27, Finnair cancelled about 70 flights due to strike called by the IAU and the Finnish Transport Workers' Union (AKT).