Finnair strikes back and staff following industrial action with another 150 jobs axed.

Photo Finnair

The financially troubled national carrier of Finland has hit back at staff who have caused a last-minute strike by announcing 150 more jobs will be axed.

The airline says the job losses are because of the impacts of the closure of Russian airspace, although some can continue to be employed if they take on a new role. Finnair says it will offer career coaching and training opportunities for those that seek to be redeployed. 

Due to the dramatic changes in Finnair’s operating environment caused by the closure of Russian airspace, Finnair now reduces approximately 90 jobs in Finland. Some employees can be offered a new role at Finnair. Outside Finland, 57 jobs will be reduced.  The personnel reductions will be implemented by the end of February 2023. Finnair continues its determined actions to restore its profitability, for example through decreasing unit costs and strengthening unit revenues.

"Finnair employees are committed professionals, who in many ways have already had to stretch, first during the pandemic, and then because of the war started by Russia. I’m deeply sorry that we must take these difficult but necessary measures in our quest to restore our profitability," says Topi Manner, Finnair CEO.

The change negotiations concern some 770 employees in Finland who work in executive, manager and expert roles. Finnair has a total of approximately 5300 employees globally.