Finnair Announces Additional Layoffs

Finnair begins discussions with its employees on possible additional layoffs.

Between April and June From July, Finnair flies only 5 percent of its normal traffic and has thus already temporarily laid off its personnel. Finnair will gradually add frequencies and routes back to its network starting from July. In July, Finnair aims to operate approximately 30% of its normal amount of flights. Finnair will review its schedule on a monthly basis and will update it as travel restrictions are removed and demand starts to recover. It estimates to fly approximately 70 percent of its normal capacity at the end of this year. 

As Finnair is not able to operate a full traffic program immediately due to the coronavirus situation, there is less work available for the personnel.  As Finnair has previously indicated, the need to adjust personnel resources to the situation continues at least for 2020. For this reason, Finnair will now start discussions with its personnel on additional layoffs.

“It is clear that as we fly significantly less, the amount of work available is lower than normal as well. The gradually growing traffic program will increase also resource needs in due course. However, considering the uncertainties caused by travel restrictions and the coronavirus situation in general, the return to normal will take a considerable time. That is why the temporary layoffs we now start negotiations on unfortunately seem to be inevitable, ”says Johanna Karppi, SVP for People & Culture at Finnair.

The co-operation process concerns all of the approximately 6100 Finnair employees in Finland. The discussions will start on May 25. Finnair estimates that if realized, the layoffs could be temporary for a fixed period of time or until further notice based on resource needs. Similar measures are planned for Finnair employees outside Finland based on the local legislation.

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