Finnair has announced flight cancellations for May 16 and 19 due to industrial action by the Finnish Aviation Union at Helsinki Airport.

The work stoppages will affect essential services including customer service, aircraft maintenance, baggage handling, cargo operations, ground handling and catering services.

The airline has warned passengers to expect flight cancellations and possible delays, with potential congestion at service points and delays in baggage delivery at Helsinki Airport.

Finnair has begun cancelling flights scheduled for Friday, 16 May, and is still assessing the impact on flights for May 19.

Finnair has announced flight cancellations for May 16 and 19

"We are very sorry for the uncertainty and harm this situation may cause you, and we will do our best to minimise the impact on your journey," Finnair stated in its announcement to passengers.

Those affected by cancellations will be contacted via SMS and/or email, with Finnair advising customers to ensure their contact details are up to date in the "Manage booking" section.

Finnair will automatically work on alternative travel plans for those with cancelled flights.

Passengers can accept new arrangements, request changes to travel dates, or apply for refunds through the airline's "Manage Booking" system.

Changes are possible to flights until June 30, 2025, excluding dates between May 30 and June 2.

Those who booked their ticket through a travel agency or a tour operator can contact them to make changes to their reservation or to apply for a refund. Passengers who booked their ticket through Finnair can contact the airline's customer service, chat or app.

The airline noted that some pre-ordered extras, such as meals or pet transportation, might not be confirmed on rebooked flights.

Finnair provided more information on securing hotel accommodation if affected by the disruption, and travelling with checked baggage.

Experts at AirAdvisor offered advice to holidaymakers impacted by the chaos. They warned that approximately 20 to 25 flights from the UK to Helsinki will be directly impacted, affecting between 3,200 and 4,000 Britons.

They claimed that Finnair and British Airways customers will "mainly bear the brunt of this action"; while British Airways does not fly directly to Helsinki, Finnair flights can be booked via BA's website.

Ryanair and Norwegian Airlines passengers have also been advised to brace for impact.

Regarding direct flights, Airadvisor shared that five Finnair, two Norwegian, and one Ryanair flights will be affected. Flights with one stop mainly include Lufthansa, Air Baltic, and British Airways flights.

Travellers were warned: "Key routes impacted include direct flights from London Heathrow (LHR), Manchester (MAN), and Edinburgh (EDI) to Helsinki."

Because Helsinki Airport is a major transit hub for Asia, the strike action is a "big blow" to those heading to destinations such as Tokyo and Bangkok, as reroutes can cost up to £1,000.

Airadvisor warned that staff will walk out at four-hour windows spread throughout the day, meaning "the entire day of operations will be affected and there will be more chaos".

Book at Skyscanner for flights, and Omio for trains/ferries.

Ryanair passengers have been warned of disruption

Aviation expert and founder of AirAdvisor Anton Radchenko stated: "Finland’s aviation is caught in a spiral of strife, with more than seven strikes since 2023 - five in 2025 alone - exposing Helsinki Airport’s fragility as a global hub.

"The IAU’s May 16 and 19 walkouts speak volumes about a workforce stretched thin by post-COVID cuts and Russia's airspace closure.

"Unlike recent industrial actions such as Greece and Italy's full-day closures, Finland's precision strikes through staggered shifts will create unpredictable chaos and maximise disruption. Think baggage stranded for days, Asia connections derailed, costing millions and UK tourists' trust.

"Without swift labour resolutions, Finland risks losing its edge as an Asia gateway to rival hubs like Stockholm. Plus, if these disruptions don’t stop, travellers will bypass Finland for Copenhagen or Oslo, which is bad for the country’s reputation as a tourist hotspot.

"Like always, passengers should be prepared and explore alternate routes as soon as possible. Pack essentials (medications, chargers) in carry-on, as baggage delays could last 24-48 hours. If you're flying by Finnair, don’t just rely on their customer service lines; call their German or Swedish hotlines for faster responses.

"Next, not many people realise that digital evidence matters, especially when most of them struggle to prove ticket types, fare conditions, or promised assistance. Therefore, I recommend taking screenshots of flight itineraries, airline promises about refunds or rerouting, and chat transcripts with customer service. If things go south, you’ll have the evidence you need to file a strong claim under EU261.

"Last but not least, be proactive while filing for refunds or requesting reroutes. Remember, you'll receive no compensation as these strikes are outside the airline's control. Instead, you're entitled to free care and assistance in the form of meals, accommodation, and transfer to and from the hotel for delays exceeding two hours. So, make sure you get that."

GB News has contacted British Airways, Norwegian Airlines and Ryanair for comment