Finnair Pilots Begin Strike, Halting Most Flights

HELSINKI (AP) — Finnair pilots began a strike on Monday that has grounded all the Finnish national carrier's international and domestic flights, affecting thousands of passengers.

The strike came after the union representing more than 750 pilots on Saturday rejected a mediation proposal by the national conciliator, following months of fruitless labor contract talks.

Finnair, which operates some 200 daily flights, said it has canceled more than 400 departures so far, affecting 32,000 passengers.

The airline began cancelations on Sunday, particularly of long-haul flights and some to European cities that were to have returned on Monday. Most of Tuesday's regular flights also will be called off, it said.

"Finnair aims to operate all of its leisure flights regardless of the strike," the airline said, adding that its code-share partners will fly to and from Helsinki as normal despite the strike.

British Airways has said it plans to use larger aircraft on its Finland routes and local budget airlines have increased connections between Finnish and regional cities.