Finnair has hit a major roadblock after Qantas cut back their wet-lease partnership. This decision followed repeated disruptions caused by Finnair’s labor strikes. As a result, Qantas reduced the number of Finnair aircraft in service, affecting joint operations. The impact triggered the furlough of 36 Finnair pilots and cast doubt on the airline’s future strategy.
The wet-lease agreement began in 2023 between Finnair and Qantas to serve routes in Southeast Asia. However, labor conflicts within Finnair caused frequent scheduling problems. Qantas then decided to scale the partnership down to just one aircraft. This move affected Finnair’s business model, which had already been vulnerable after the closure of Russian airspace disrupted its Asian operations.
Finnair had surplus aircraft due to rerouted flights from the restricted Russian zone. The airline shifted to wet-leasing these wide-body jets to carriers like Qantas. Although the plan showed early promise, unresolved internal labor issues weakened the strategy. Qantas’ decision has now exposed Finnair’s reliance on unstable short-term deals.
These setbacks also come at a time when the global aviation sector is still recovering from the pandemic’s damage. Finnair must resolve its union disputes and stabilize its operations quickly. If it fails to do so, further cutbacks and deeper financial trouble could follow. The wet-lease model, while useful for growth, cannot survive constant internal disruptions.
This development forces Finnair to rethink its business direction. The airline needs to rebuild trust, ensure service reliability, and secure new revenue streams. The next few months will determine whether it adapts or continues to lose ground in a competitive aviation landscape.
Related stories:
Catch up on the top stories and travel deals by subscribing to our newsletter!
Leave a Reply