Helsinki  - Striking Finnair pilots and representatives of the Finnish flag carrier met Tuesday at the office of the National Conciliator while some 200 scheduled flights were cancelled.

Thousands of passengers have been impacted by the strike involving some 800 Finnair pilots that began Monday. Already on Sunday some long-haul flights and European flights were cancelled.

The meeting Tuesday was intended to sound out if the parties could resume formal arbitration talks, according to a Finnair spokesman.

The pilots have been concerned over job losses in the wake of Finnair plans to outsource flights to a domestic partner that offers lower salaries.

Charter-flights were initially not affected.

The carrier advised passengers to consult its website www. finnair. com/info for details.(dpa)