Finnair pilots reach deal over Flybe transfers
Finnair has still not reached agreement with its cabin crew staff over a planned transfer to some workers to Flybe Nordic, a joint venture with the British airline Flybe.
The Cabin Crew Union says it will resume talks with the national carrier on Friday.
The Finnish Airline Pilots' Association said on Wednesday evening it had agreed with Finnair on terms for transfers to a joint-venture with UK airline Flybe.
Pilots currently trained to fly the airline's Brazilian-made Embraer planes will remain on Finnair's payroll. During a four-year transitional period they will be trained to operate Airbus planes, the union says.
The airline and union also agreed on contract changes intended to bring about millions of euros of annual savings.
According to union president Kristian Rintala, pilots will have to work more to retain their current salary levels.
Finnair intends to transfer some 120 pilots and 100 flight attendants to Flybe Nordic.
The unions have argued that Finnair cannot make a unilateral decision to reassign staff to another airline.
On Tuesday the flag carrier announced plans to shift 12 aircraft and their crews to Flybe so the budget airline can operate Finnair's unprofitable European routes.
Finnair owns 40 percent of Flybe Nordic, which was launched last autumn.
