Jetflite (JEF, Helsinki Vantaa) will launch employee consultation proceedings on June 8 on plans to discontinue most of the company's business activities and potentially lay off the affected staff, citing prolonged losses and a changing operating environment.
The process, expected to last approximately three weeks, covers 53 employees across flight operations, brokering, fixed-base operation (FBO) services, and technical and support functions.
“The negotiations concern the planned discontinuation of the above-mentioned businesses and the potential termination of employment of the associated personnel,” the company said. “The decisions under consideration are driven by the prolonged unprofitable performance of these businesses.”
According to Jetflite, previous restructuring efforts failed to restore sustainable profitability. “In addition, the company's operating environment has changed significantly in recent years,” the statement added.
Jetflite currently operates a 2000-built, 18-seat Challenger 604, a Challenger 650 manufactured in 2020 and configured for up to 12 passengers, and a 2014-produced Falcon 7X featuring a cabin layout for up to 16 passengers. All aircraft are based at Helsinki Vantaa and serve both charter and air ambulance missions. The Dassault Aviation trijet has been parked at Bordeaux Mérignac since March 12.
In late 2025, the company exited Gulfstream Aerospace operations following the retirement of a G150.
Jetflite is part of Wihuri Aviation, a business unit within Wihuri Group that also includes logistics specialist Jetlogistics, which is not affected by the consultation proceedings.
Beyond aviation, Wihuri Group's core businesses include packaging, daily goods wholesale, technical trade, and Caterpillar construction equipment dealerships. The conglomerate is also the largest shareholder in Canada-based packaging manufacturer Winpak.
Employing over 5,000 people, Wihuri Group was founded in 1901 and is headed by billionaire Antti Aarnio-Wihuri, a member of the family that has controlled the company for more than a century.
Jetflite and Wihuri Group said they would not comment further during the consultation process.
