Finnair Warns of Job Cuts Following Pilot Strike

‍DALLAS — Finnair (AY) has entered negotiations with its pilots regarding possible workforce reductions following the strike organized by the Finnish Transport Pilots Association (SLL). 

The strike stems from dissatisfaction with the salaries Finnair pilots earn. AY currently employs approximately 1,000 pilots.

Finnair announced on February 7, 2025, that a workforce reduction may be necessary if the ongoing strike changes the pilot and airline cooperation agreement. Negotiations will begin on February 12, 2025, and may include temporarily laying off up to 90 pilots.

Pilots' union expanded its demands in the fall of 2024, including a ban on stand-by duty for pilots operating flights for partner airlines and for flights that pilots use to transfer to these flights.

In response, the airline has initiated discussions regarding future options for the cooperation agreement, including the possibility of terminating it, which would directly affect the AY’s pilot workload.

Negotiations will also explore the possibility of including stand-by duty in employment contracts. The pilots' union has refused to accept stand-by duty collectively and has proposed always being voluntary rather than mandatory.

Negotiations for a collective agreement between the Finnish Transport Pilots Association (SLL) and Finnair have been ongoing for over five months. So far, the talks have not yielded concrete results, while Finnair claims that the pilots union has rejected several settlement proposals.

Comment from Finnair Management

“It is unfortunate that the pilots' union’s prolonged industrial action has led to a situation where we have to start change negotiations. Today is a tough day for all of us at Finnair. In our 101-year history, we have never had to reduce pilot positions for operational reasons.”

“Even when Russian airspace was closed, which fundamentally changed our operating environment, we managed to secure employment for our pilots through cooperation agreements,” said Kaisa Aalto-Luoto, Chief People Officer at Finnair.

Aalto-Luoto added, “Stand-by duty is an established practice in the industry, and I believe that every Finnair pilot recognizes its importance as part of their job. Since the union has refused to agree to this, we are now preparing to include stand-by duty in the employment contracts of all pilots.”

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