Newspaper Helsingin Sanomat takes a deep dive into Finnair's finances, as Finland's national airline once again faces financial and operational turbulence.
These latest issues have reignited long-standing debates over state ownership. While the airline is viewed by many Finns as a symbol of national pride, the company has relied heavily on public funds during crises, including nearly 2 billion euros in so-called "consumption debt" since 2020.
The flag carrier's dual crises in the past five years — Covid-19 and the closure of Russian airspace — hit its Asia-focused strategy hard, forcing staff layoffs and state-backed rescue measures.
With the Finnish government holding a 56 percent stake, Finnair is shielded from bankruptcy, but this guarantee invites pressure from unions and politicians to extract further concessions.
Labour disputes, including recent pilot and personnel strikes, have caused the cancellation of hundreds of flights, threatening profitability despite a strong recovery in revenue. In addition, the Finnish state funds loss-making flights to regional airports.
Critics argued that the company, while strategically important for Finland, is overly burdened by state expectations, such as maintaining loss-making regional routes.
HS writes that ownership debates resurface periodically but rarely gain traction due to political sensitivities and fears of losing control over a critical sector.
The Office of the Prime Minister's Head of Corporate Governance Maija Strandberg defended the current model, citing Finland’s geographic isolation and the need for secure access.
"Finland is an island, and we share an eastern border with Russia, and accessibility is important," she said.
Since Finland's only Schengen land borders are in the far north with Sweden and Norway, many refer to the country as an island in practice, where the only way to reach the more densely populated south is by plane or boat.
Still, Strandberg conceded that strategic holdings like Finnair should be reviewed regularly and sold only from a position of strength.
Despite recent turmoil, Finnair projects between 100 and 200 million euros in operating profit this year and is preparing to renew its fleet, even as high labour costs and geopolitical risks continue to weigh on the business.
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Stubb's foreign policy and domestic holiday
Finnish President Alexander Stubb spent this past weekend at his summer cottage in the Finnish Archipelago, on the country's west coast.
Tabloid Ilta-Sanomat shared his Instagram post from the picturesque island location.
"Nothing like a calm evening and a sauna in the Finnish archipelago," the president wrote.
In the comments, Finns and foreigners alike marvelled at the scenery and the relaxing nature, IS reported.
It seems that the Finnish public believes Stubb has earned this much needed rest, at least according to a poll commission by rural-focused newspaper Maaseudun Tulevaisuus.
A total of 82 percent of respondents to the poll said they were very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with the president's handling of foreign policy.
Only 11 percent said they were somewhat or extremely dissatisfied with the president's role in Finland's foreign matters, while seven percent could not say either way.
The result of the survey did not surprise Tuomas Forsberg, Professor of International Politics at the University of Tampere.
"Finns have tended to support the institution of the president, especially in foreign policy," he told MT.
He also pointed out that Stubb's weakest support groups came from left-wing parties and younger people, which Forsberg noted was likely due to their dissatisfaction over Israel's war in Gaza.
The poll was conducted earlier this month, prior to Stubb taking a tougher stance on Israel last week.
Swedish gangsters use Finland as hideout
Tabloid Iltalehti reported that Sweden is currently holding a major trial over the country's largest cocaine seizure, with significant ties to Finland.
Over 1,300 kilograms of cocaine were discovered at Norvik port near Stockholm in April 2024, with a street value of roughly 110 million euros.
The drugs were allegedly linked to the notorious Rumba gang, led by internationally wanted figure Ismail Abdo.
One of the key suspects, a 25-year-old man involved in the smuggling operation, travelled to Finland after the seizure and coordinated further crimes while in the country.
The man, now charged with multiple offences including attempted murder and aggravated drug offences, arrived in Helsinki via Tallinn after flying from Colombia through Spain.
Finnish police conducted surveillance and wiretaps during his time in Finland, capturing conversations about expanding narcotics distribution and recruiting drivers for drug transport.
The audio tapes show that the intention was to build a larger drug trade in Finland.
"I think that in three or four months I will have a hundred contacts. [- - -] Then I can live on that. [- - -] I'm going to keep a very low profile," the man revealed in the tapes.
It was necessary for him to keep a low profile, IL writes, as Swedish police had already remanded the man for trial in absentia.
The man and another Swedish national were arrested after more than a month in Finland.
Investigators say the group discussed orchestrating violent crimes from Vantaa, including ordering hits in Sweden using underage recruits.
Finnish Central Criminal Police Commissioner Marko Heinonen said the suspects may have used Finland to hide from Swedish authorities or escape gang violence.
The case is being tried in Södertörn District Court in Sweden, with verdicts expected by late June.
