Finland's winter holiday season could get bumpy as the Finnish Air Line Pilots' Association (SLL) is escalating its labour dispute by urging members to stick to their allotted shifts.
This guidance, aimed at pressuring employers, could create complications, especially if pilots require sick leave cover and are not permitted to swap shifts.
The intensified industrial action is expected to result in additional flight cancellations.
The new measures will take effect on 1 March, coinciding with the school winter break, and are scheduled to last until 15 March, according to the union's announcement.
"So far, the industrial action has affected us by causing sudden flight cancellations. The impact on customers has been significant," said Finnair's head of disruptions, Jonna Vermilä-Alajääski.
Despite the ongoing conflict, she said it is safe and secure to book flights with Finnair.
"We take off about 300 times per day, and only a few of these have been cancelled," she explained.
The dispute between SLL and service sector employers' group Palta has lasted for about half a year, during which some 800 Finnair flights have been cancelled.
The pilots are demanding salary increases and improvements to their supplementary pension system.
Earlier this month, the pilots rejected the state conciliator's third settlement bid for a new deal between the SLL and Palta.
