Finnair canceled 70 flights in October after discovering a critical safety issue. The airline had mistakenly cleaned some aircraft seat covers with water instead of approved methods. This created a potential fire safety risk that required immediate action.
CEO Turkka Kuusisto addressed the situation during the company's third-quarter results presentation. "We are deeply sorry for the disruption to our customers' travels," Kuusisto stated. "But flight safety is an area where we never compromise."
The third quarter marked a return to normal operations for Finnair. Labor disputes that caused widespread cancellations earlier this year ended at the beginning of the quarter. This allowed the airline to restore reliable flight schedules.
Finnair's financial results showed mixed performance during the July-September period. Revenue increased by 2% to €834.9 million compared to last year's €813.3 million. Passenger numbers grew slightly by 0.2% to 3.3 million travelers.
Operating profit declined from €76.7 million to €52.1 million. The comparable operating result dropped to €50.7 million from €71.5 million. Labor disputes negatively impacted results by approximately €18 million according to company estimates.
Kuusisto described the results as meeting expectations despite challenges. "Active cost efficiency improvements helped reduce the impact of labor disputes," he explained. "Environmental regulation costs and rising navigation and landing fees also affected performance."
The airline benefited from continued growth in customer-specific additional sales. This helped support the overall financial development during the quarter.
This incident highlights the delicate balance airlines maintain between operational efficiency and strict safety protocols. Even seemingly minor procedural errors can have significant consequences for flight operations and passenger confidence.