Published on
January 11, 2026
Finland faces significant travel disruptions as Finnair delays 119 flights and cancels 21, leaving passengers stranded across major airports in Kittila, Helsinki, Rovaniemi, Dusseldorf, and Hamburg. The chaos is a result of operational challenges and unforeseen technical issues that have plagued the airline, severely affecting travelers during peak times. With both domestic and international routes impacted, passengers are now facing lengthy delays and uncertainty as they struggle to reach their destinations or rebook their flights amidst the turmoil.
Travel chaos struck Finland yesterday, as Finnair experienced significant disruptions in its operations, delaying 119 flights and canceling 21. The ripple effects were felt across major Finnish airports like Helsinki-Vantaa, Kittila, and Rovaniemi, as well as European hubs such as Dusseldorf and Hamburg. The delays and cancellations left thousands of passengers stranded, with many facing uncertainty about their travel plans. Weather-related issues, including heavy snowfalls and freezing conditions, were identified as the primary cause of these widespread disruptions.
The sudden snowstorms and ice accumulations caused havoc across the region, with flight crews and airport personnel struggling to manage operations amid the extreme conditions. Several flights, including those between Helsinki and Kittila, Dusseldorf, and Hamburg, were either canceled or delayed for hours, disrupting holiday and business travel.
A Breakdown of the Cancellations and Delays
Finnair, one of the largest carriers in the Nordic region, was significantly impacted by the inclement weather. On top of the 119 delayed flights, the airline had to cancel 21 flights across several routes. Below is a breakdown of the affected flights:
Canceled Flights:
- FIN575 (A321) – Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) to Kittila (KTT) – Departure Time: 4:30 PM EET
- FIN1395 (E190) – Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) to Dusseldorf Int’l (DUS) – Departure Time: 4:35 PM EET
- FIN584 (A320) – Kittila (KTT) to Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) – Departure Time: 5:15 PM EET
- FIN1425 (E190) – Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) to Hamburg (HAM) – Departure Time: 5:20 PM EET
- FIN576 (A321) – Kittila (KTT) to Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) – Departure Time: 6:45 PM EET
- FIN589 (AT72) – Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) to Kittila (KTT) – Departure Time: 7:20 PM EET
- FIN1396 (E190) – Dusseldorf Int’l (DUS) to Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) – Departure Time: 6:50 PM CET
- FIN1426 (E190) – Hamburg (HAM) to Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) – Departure Time: 7:05 PM CET
- FIN590 (AT72) – Kittila (KTT) to Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) – Departure Time: 9:50 PM EET
- FIN571 (A321) – Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) to Kittila (KTT) – Departure Time: 6:45 AM EET (Sunday)
- FIN559 (E190) – Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) to Rovaniemi (RVN) – Departure Time: 6:45 AM EET (Sunday)
- FIN560 (E190) – Rovaniemi (RVN) to Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) – Departure Time: 8:55 AM EET (Sunday)
- FIN572 (A321) – Kittila (KTT) to Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) – Departure Time: 9:00 AM EET (Sunday)
- FIN573 (A321) – Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) to Kittila (KTT) – Departure Time: 11:20 AM EET (Sunday)
- FIN581 (A319) – Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) to Kittila (KTT) – Departure Time: 12:35 PM EET (Sunday)
- FIN579 (A321) – Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) to Kittila (KTT) – Departure Time: 1:20 PM EET (Sunday)
- FIN574 (A321) – Kittila (KTT) to Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) – Departure Time: 1:40 PM EET (Sunday)
- FIN582 (A319) – Kittila (KTT) to Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) – Departure Time: 2:45 PM EET (Sunday)
- FIN587 (A320) – Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) to Kittila (KTT) – Departure Time: 3:15 PM EET (Sunday)
- FIN580 (A321) – Kittila (KTT) to Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) – Departure Time: 3:40 PM EET (Sunday)
- FIN575 (A321) – Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) to Kittila (KTT) – Departure Time: 4:30 PM EET (Sunday)
- FIN588 (A320) – Kittila (KTT) to Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) – Departure Time: 5:30 PM EET (Sunday)
- FIN576 (A321) – Kittila (KTT) to Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) – Departure Time: 6:40 PM EET (Sunday)
- FIN583 (A320) – Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) to Kittila (KTT) – Departure Time: 7:35 PM EET (Sunday)
- FIN584 (A320) – Kittila (KTT) to Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) – Departure Time: 9:50 PM EET (Sunday)
Weather and Snow-Related Disruptions
The primary factor contributing to these delays and cancellations was severe weather, specifically heavy snowstorms and freezing temperatures that disrupted airport operations in Finland and parts of Europe. Weather conditions worsened rapidly in the afternoon, causing ice to accumulate on runways and making visibility extremely poor for pilots and ground crews. The adverse weather conditions led to lengthy delays in de-icing procedures, which slowed down the departure of flights, especially those heading to and from destinations like Kittila, Rovaniemi, and Dusseldorf.
Flight cancellations were primarily due to the unsafe flying conditions, where low visibility, icy runways, and poor weather forecasts prompted flight crews to delay or cancel departures. Passengers traveling from these airports faced long hours of uncertainty, with some being rebooked for flights later in the evening or the following days. The delays also compounded the backlog at Helsinki-Vantaa, the busiest airport in Finland, which saw its usual smooth operations grind to a halt.
Passenger Experience Amid the Chaos
Travelers who were affected by the disruptions expressed frustration and confusion as they were left waiting in crowded terminals. While some passengers received assistance and rebooking on later flights, others were informed that their flights were canceled without a clear alternative. For those traveling to popular tourist destinations like Rovaniemi and Kittila, the cancellations were especially problematic as many visitors had planned their trips to coincide with the winter season. The holiday rush added pressure on the already strained system, making it difficult for airlines to provide immediate solutions.
At Helsinki-Vantaa, some passengers were offered hotel vouchers and meal allowances, while others had to find their own accommodations. Unfortunately, many were unable to secure hotel rooms due to high demand in the area. As the snowstorm intensified, the situation became more challenging, with limited transportation options available for passengers stranded at the airport.
Impact on European Routes
The snowstorm and weather conditions didn’t just affect Finnish destinations, but also European hubs like Dusseldorf and Hamburg. Several flights that were scheduled to depart from these cities were either delayed or redirected to other airports. Passengers flying into Finland from cities like Dusseldorf, Hamburg, and Rovaniemi found themselves stuck at airports for extended periods of time as the storm affected flight schedules.
While Finnair worked to rebook passengers, the sheer number of delays made it difficult to accommodate all those affected. The situation highlighted the vulnerabilities of air travel during the winter months, especially in regions prone to heavy snow and ice storms. Despite Finnair’s best efforts to manage the situation, many passengers were forced to spend the night in airports as flights were delayed or canceled for several hours.
What to Expect Going Forward
With the weather expected to improve, Finnair is working to clear the backlog of passengers and resume normal operations. However, travelers are advised to stay updated on flight statuses through the airline’s official channels, as further delays or cancellations could occur due to residual impacts from the storm. It is also recommended to contact customer service to confirm new flight times and secure alternative accommodations if necessary.
As the winter season continues, both passengers and airlines alike will need to prepare for the possibility of additional weather-related disruptions. Finnair and other carriers operating in the region are likely to implement contingency plans to mitigate delays, but the unpredictable nature of winter storms makes air travel during this time a challenging experience.
Travel chaos hit Finland as Finnair delayed 119 flights and canceled 21 due to severe snowstorms and freezing temperatures. The adverse weather conditions led to poor visibility, icy runways, and operational delays across major airports in Finland and Europe.
Finnair’s disruption yesterday served as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by severe winter weather. With 119 flight delays and 21 cancellations impacting key routes in Finland and Europe, passengers faced an arduous journey as they navigated the chaos caused by heavy snow and ice. While Finnair continues to work on restoring normal operations, travelers should be prepared for further disruptions and monitor flight statuses closely. As always, it’s important to check weather forecasts before traveling and to stay informed of potential changes to flight schedules during the winter months.
