Last orders: Finnair cannot serve alcohol on domestic flights after 5 pm
As we continue to struggle with the ongoing pandemic, airlines have had to adapt their rules to stay in line with government regulations and practices designed to protect passengers and workers. For the Finnish national airline Finnair, this now means a ban on the sale of alcohol on domestic flights after 5 pm.
During the current medical emergency, we have seen airlines worldwide ban the sale of alcohol on flights for a number of reasons. Some did it to get people to wear their face masks during the flight, while others chose to do so to prevent the aggressive behavior of drunken passengers. However, most, as in the case of Finnair, did so in order to comply with government regulations.
Finland wants to protect its hospitals
As late as the end of November 2021, Finland banned the sale of alcohol in bars and restaurants after 5 pm to all customers who were unable to present a COVID-19 vaccination certificate. The idea at the time was that when we get it deeper into winter, the transfer would help protect Finnish hospital intensive care units from overload.
According to the Finnish government, excess alcohol in the body lowers the human immune system. Being drunk also reduces blockages and leads to a lack of social distance and the use of a face mask.
In Finland, the number of new cases increased after the holidays
Due to the increased number of infections during the Christmas and New Year holidays, the Finnish government has introduced a safety brake mechanism to prevent the spread of COVID-19. While the Omicron variant is fast becoming the most virulent strain even among vaccinated people, the fear is that while it is less lethal, it will put pressure on the health care system. At present, people infected with coronavirus in Finland have to isolate themselves for ten days, which means that the number of staff in hospitals treating COVID-19 patients may be in short supply.
On Friday, new rules came into force banning the sale of alcohol after 5pm to anyone, even if they were vaccinated. Meanwhile, Finnair continued to serve alcohol domestic network, assuming that the ban only applies to Terra companies. However, the Regional State Administrative Agency of Southern Finland confirmed that the same rules apply to airlines. Finnair said on social media on Twitter on January 7, 2022 that the sale of alcoholic beverages on Finnair’s and Norway’s domestic flights will no longer be allowed after 5 p.m.
The Regional State Administrative Agency of Southern Finland (AVI) has decided that the current restaurant restrictions in Finland also apply to Finnair’s and Norway’s domestic flights. As a result, we will not be able to sell alcohol on our domestic flights after 5 p.m. pic.twitter.com/thoVpRB7yq
– Finnair (@Finnair) January 7, 2022
Stay up to date: Sign in for our daily and weekly aviation news.
Finnair has had to cancel flights due to staff shortages
The same rules apply to Finnair’s premium lounges at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL). Unlike the country’s restaurants, which have to close at 6 pm, Finnair can keep its lounge open until 8 pm without selling alcohol. In a previous tweet published three days ago, Finnair said that the coronavirus had affected operations and said:
“We have had to cancel some flights because the omicron transformation and the flu season are increasing sick leave in Finnair and in the teams of our partners. The same situation applies to other airlines and airports worldwide. Winter conditions and their effects on operations also challenge us on certain days. If your flight is interrupted, we will contact you by text message or email. “
Considering that Finnair’s longest domestic flight is from Helsinki to Ivalo in Lapland, not drinking for 1 hour on a 40-minute flight should not be a problem.
What do you think about Finnair’s domestic drinking ban after 17:00? Let us know what you think in the comments.