Finland's national airline Finnair has cancelled about 140 flights on Friday due to industrial action by the Finnish Aviation Union (acronymed in Finnish IAU).
The cancellations will affect an estimated 12,000 passengers, the airline said in a press release.
"The industrial actions are not tied to a specific time but will affect many functions that are essential for Finnair's flights during the day, such as aircraft maintenance, ground handling operations and catering services," Finnair's statement said.
The release added that the airline will offer passengers of cancelled flights an alternative option. The alternatives are available to passengers in the 'manage booking service' section of Finnair's website or in its mobile app.
The IAU has called for a four-hour-long work stoppage on Friday, affecting different shifts. An estimated 600 workers — including baggage handling, catering and aircraft maintenance staff — are expected to take part in the industrial action.
The stoppage is also likely to have a knock-on effect on the operations of other airlines, with airport services firm Finavia advising passengers flying from Helsinki Airport on Friday to check real-time flight information on the Helsinki Airport flights page.
The effects of the work stoppage will also extend to the ground handling of other airlines.
The union has announced similar industrial action for Monday 5 May, but Finnair has not yet assessed the potential impact on flights.
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