Staff shortage forces Finnair to postpone highly anticipated new US flight
Two key Oneworld carriers are cutting flights as the COVID-19 omicron variant has both softened demand and caused staff to call in sick.
Finnair and British Airways are making short-term schedule adjustments and suspending or postponing some transatlantic service to the U.S.
Finnair is cutting its February schedule by 20% due to a "significant increase" of sick leave among its staff. Most of this schedule cut is a reduction in frequencies, meaning that Finnair will continue service to the destination, though will offer fewer flights each day. However, this schedule reduction also means that the airline's much-anticipated launch of service from Helsinki (HEL) to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) will now be moved to March 27, from Feb. 6.
"Staff sick leave is now significantly impacting Finnair and airports in Finland as well as throughout the world," Finnair's chief commercial officer, Ole Orvér, said in a statement. "We aim to meet these resourcing challenges through the cancellation of flights, to avoid last-minute changes and better manage our customers' expectations. This will give customers more time to prepare for flight schedule changes and adjust their travel plans if needed."
Related: United has 3,000 employees out with COVID as staff shortages continue
Fellow Oneworld carrier British Airways is temporarily suspending its service from London Heathrow (LHR) to New Orleans (MSY), Nashville (BNA) and Baltimore-Washington (BWI).
Service to New Orleans will be suspended on Jan. 18, with Nashville suspended on Jan. 16 and Baltimore on Jan. 17, according to Cirium schedules data. Those flights, which only restarted in November (BWI) and December (MSY and BNA) after an initial COVID-19 suspension, will resume again in April (MSY) and May (BWI and BNA).
"Like other airlines, due to the continuing Coronavirus pandemic we are operating a reduced and dynamic schedule," British Airways said in a statement.
Related: What to do when an airline changes your flight
If you're impacted by these schedule changes or another airline's schedule changes, check out TPG's guide on what to do when an airline changes your flight.