A Finnair flight from Helsinki to Doha faced a significant delay, exceeding three hours, due to two incidents related to health and safety. Initially, shortly after takeoff, the flight had to return to the airport due to a medical emergency that had not been specified, as the airline's communications director, Mari Kanerva, did not disclose whether the affected individual was a crew member or a passenger.

As the plane prepared for a second takeoff, an additional delay occurred when the pilot stepped outside to check the aircraft, a standard procedure. Unfortunately, during this process, a de-icing agent, specifically ethylene glycol, accidentally splashed into his eye. The agent is known to cause mild irritation to the eyes, prompting the need for a replacement pilot to take over duties.

This incident highlights the importance of safety procedures and the potential risks involved during routine checks and maintenance before flights. Passengers were eventually offered meals while waiting for the final departure at 7 PM, illustrating the airline's effort to manage the situation amidst the delays. Such occurrences draw attention to pilot safety and health protocols that need to be in place during flight preparations.