A nationwide strike led by the trade union Verdi has resulted in the cancellation of numerous flights across Germany, causing significant disruption for air travelers. The industrial action commenced unexpectedly at Hamburg Airport on Sunday before spreading to other major hubs such as Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin. Passengers have been advised against traveling to airports as operations have been severely affected. Frankfurt Airport, the country’s busiest, announced that boarding flights and transfers would likely be impacted. Verdi, representing public sector and transport workers, is engaged in a dispute over wages and working conditions. Reports indicate that thousands of flights could be canceled, affecting over 500,000 passengers. The Lufthansa group, based in Frankfurt, confirmed widespread delays and cancellations across its airlines. Munich Airport also warned of a significantly reduced flight schedule, affecting carriers like Eurowings, Austrian Airlines, and Swiss Air. The strike at Hamburg Airport led to the cancellation of all 143 Monday departures, prompting criticism from airport officials for the sudden disruption during the holiday season. Verdi defended the strike, stating that it was necessary to secure a better pay offer. Airport workers are seeking an 8% pay increase or a minimum monthly raise of €350, along with additional holidays. The ongoing strike has affected various airports, with many flights being canceled and passengers facing challenges with luggage retrieval. Verdi’s demands also include increased annual leave for certain roles, particularly security staff. The strike, known as a “warning strike,” is part of wage negotiations involving airport security workers and disputes over pay for government employees. Verdi has extended strikes to waste collection services in multiple German cities, further impacting daily operations.
Airport security staff negotiations are set to resume this Friday in Potsdam, with the upcoming round of talks slated to kick off on 26th March.
