Aviation

Finnair Rolls Out Free Rescheduling Options for Passengers Amid February Strikes

In response to the 48-hour political industrial action announced by several trade unions in Finland from 1 to 2 February 2024, Finnair has unveiled a plan to mitigate the impact on its passengers. The strikes are expected to affect various sectors, including air transport, prompting Finnair to provide flexibility for affected travelers.

Passengers with bookings between 31 January and 3 February 2024 now have the option to reschedule their flights or postpone their journeys, with the new travel date extended until 15 March 2024. Finnair emphasizes that these changes can be made directly through the “Manage booking” feature on their website, adhering to standard ticket rules. In cases where ticket types do not permit alterations, passengers are encouraged to contact the travel agency that issued the ticket or Finnair’s customer service for assistance.

To address the uncertainty surrounding flight cancellations during the strike period, Finnair assures affected passengers that they will be personally notified via SMS and/or email. It is advised to verify and update contact information through the “Manage booking” section on the Finnair website. However, the airline acknowledges that specific flight cancellations are yet to be determined, as the full impact of the industrial action remains unclear.

In the event of a flight cancellation, Finnair promises to reroute passengers to their intended destinations, and updated flight details can be found through the “Manage Booking” and Finnair app.

For passengers who booked through travel agencies or tour operators, Finnair recommends reaching out to them for reservation changes or refunds. Meanwhile, passengers who booked directly with Finnair can seek assistance through the airline’s customer service, with the chat service on the website or Finnair app being the recommended points of contact, though potential congestion is acknowledged.

Finnair expresses regret for any inconvenience caused by the situation and is actively working to navigate through this exceptional circumstance while prioritizing passenger welfare and assistance.

Aviation

Lost Tool Found in Qantas A380 After 34 Flights

An Australian Transportation Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation recently revealed that a Qantas A380 operated 34 flights with a 1.25-meter nylon tool lodged in one of its engines.

This turning tool, used during borescope inspections to rotate the intermediate-pressure compressor, was left behind during scheduled maintenance at Los Angeles on December 6, 2023. It remained inside the engine until it was discovered by maintenance staff during a subsequent check at Los Angeles on January 1, 2024.

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The ATSB report highlights two critical lapses. First, maintenance engineers failed to notice the tool during final checks for foreign objects after the borescope inspection. Second, the lost tool procedure was not activated when the tool was identified as missing.

The certifying engineer ultimately cleared the aircraft for service without accounting for the misplaced tool. During the time qantas films the tool was inside, the A380 completed 34 flight cycles, accumulating nearly 294 hours without any noticeable effect on engine performance.

Although the tool was deformed by high-energy airflow within the engine, there was no reported damage to the engine itself. ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell commented.

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“This incident underscores the importance of following established maintenance protocols. Engineers missed the tool during foreign object checks, and the required lost tool procedure wasn’t started after realizing the tool was missing.”

Following the investigation, the airline issued a safety directive, urging all engineering and tool storage teams to adhere strictly to these protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.

A qantas spokesperson stated, “While the tool didn’t impact engine performance, we take this incident very seriously. It is critical to follow the correct lost tool procedures.”