Finnair announced the first round of more than 20 flight cancellations Thursday. The carrier said all of the cancelled flights were due to fly out of Helsinki Friday.
Airline officials said they announced the cancellations proactively to help prevent congestion at the Helsinki-Vantaa airport due to strike action.
The Finnish Cabin Crew Union and Finnish Aviation Union have issued a warning for possible strike action that could take place between 15.11 and 23.11.
According to the Aviation Union, this could be the biggest aviation walkout ever in Finland. It would include ground service staff including baggage handlers, ticket vendors, check-in staff and mechanics.
Meanwhile the unions have issued a separate strike warning from 27. – 30.11. Finnair said it has not yet been able to determine the possible implications of a work stoppage on those dates.
Negotiations between employer and employee representatives aimed at averting the strike continue Thursday.
The industrial dispute centres on a planned savings drive by the airline, which workers say will effectively mean pay cuts for all but top management.