Finnair and Airline Pilots' Association reach agreement

"It's good that we reached a compromise solution and that the strike, which was so distressing for our customers, will end. In addition to structural changes, we achieved through this agreement significant short-term cost savings. It has been agreed that, in addition to the five per cent wage reductions, we will together pursue a 13 per cent cut in unit costs," says Anssi Komulainen, Finnair's SVP Human Resources.

A key change from last week's settlement proposal was that the employer has committed to a year-long redundancy protection provision. The agreement will expire on 31 October 2011.

"The new collective employment agreement will safeguard the company's future by lowering flight deck crew costs. We also obtained the flexibility to develop the company's route network," adds Komulainen.

The strike, which began last Sunday/Monday night, will end this evening and traffic will partly resume on Wednesday when a little less than half of the flights will be operated. Approximately 150 of the 200 flights on Thursday will be flown. On Friday all flights will fly according to schedule.

(c) Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. Date posted: 18-Nov-09