National flag carrier Finnair will furlough 36 pilots operating its long-haul flights, said Finnair in a press release on Monday.
Furloughs will start by the end of September at the latest, and are estimated to last at least until May 2026.
The furloughs are due to changes in Finnair’s wetlease operations for a partner airline.
Finnair has operated two routes for a partner as a wetlease operation, and ongoing industrial action by the Finnair Pilots’ Union since December has impacted Finnair’s ability to operate these flights, said the airline in the press release, adding that the collaboration continues only on one route.
Finnair has conducted change negotiations according to the Finnish labour law about the possible need for pilot layoffs or furloughs since February.
"Unfortunately, the pilots' industrial actions have affected our ability to operate our wetlease operations with the reliability that is needed, resulting in changes in our collaboration and consequently, the need to furlough some of our pilots. The situation is unfortunate for all parties", said Jaakko Schildt, Finnair's Chief Operating Officer.
Earlier in February, Finnair decided to start change negotiations with its pilots to discuss the possible need for personnel reductions.
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
