Finnair File photo: VCG

Finland-based airline Finnair has said that it condemns all forms of discriminatory behavior after some individual Finish politicians' social media posts prompted criticism, and it understands why an old advertisement sparked "justified criticism." 

The airline's statement posted on X came after some netizens have criticized the Finnair advertisement celebrating the launch of a Beijing route, featuring a cartoon character wearing a bamboo hat and with a "slanted eyes" expression.

Photo: Screenshot from a X user's post

It also came amid a widening racism scandal involving Miss Finland and some Finish members of parliament (MPs). Miss Finland, Sarah Dzafce, was stripped of her title three months after winning it, following criticism over her sharing a racially charged social media post in late November that showed her making a "slanted eye gesture." Two Finish MPs also posted images of themselves on social media doing the same gesture, saying it was in support of Dzafce.

"Recent social media posts by some individual politicians have also sparked discussion on our channels. These posts do not represent Finnair's values. We firmly condemn all forms of discriminatory behaviour," Finnair said on X on Thursday. 

Photo: Screenshot from Finnair's X account

It also addressed criticism over an advertisement created 37 years ago in connection with the launch of its Beijing route. "Seen through today's lens, we fully understand why it has raised justified criticism. It is clear to us that we would not create similar content today. Diversity and equality are a core part of Finnair's values," Finnair wrote. 

Finnair also issued a similar statement in Finnish on Thursday.

On Thursday, an X user released a post accompanied by two photos of the Finnair's advertisement and Miss Finland as well as several politicians posting derogatory images, saying that "Finnair. Your ad is also discriminatory. racist racists." 

Commenting on the post, the airline said on Thursday that "the advertisement is from 1988, and it was created in connection with the launch of Finnair's Beijing route. It reflects the imagery that was prevalent in advertising at the time. Looking at it today, we understand that the advertisement raises justified criticism." 

"It's completely clear to us that we would not create similar content today. At Finnair, diversity and equality are central to our values," it wrote, adding that "We are committed to ensuring that our communications and operations reflect these values every day."

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo issued a formal apology on Wednesday over the racism scandal involving Miss Finland and later a few members of parliament. "I express my sincere apologies for the offensive remarks recently made by individual members of parliament on social media," Orpo said in a Chinese-language statement posted on the Finnish Embassy in China's Weibo account, saying the comments run counter to Finland's values of equality and inclusion.

According to Finnish public broadcaster Yleisradio Oy (Yle), Orpo's apology was published on the social media channels of Finnish embassies in China, Japan and South Korea, with slightly different wordings.

In the statement, Orpo stressed that racism and discrimination have no place in Finnish society, saying the Finnish government takes racism seriously and is committed to addressing the issue. He added that leaders of parliamentary groups from governing parties had discussed the behavior of the lawmakers involved and jointly condemned the insulting and inappropriate actions.

Global Times