Hundreds of flights have been cancelled across Germany as airport workers stage a nationwide strike over pay, causing significant disruption for air travelers. The industrial action, initiated unexpectedly on Sunday at Hamburg Airport, quickly escalated to include major hubs across the country. Authorities have advised passengers at Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, and other airports to avoid traveling to these locations due to severe operational disturbances, particularly affecting boarding and transfers at Frankfurt, the nation's busiest airport.
Verdi, which advocates for public sector and transport workers, has been engaged in a dispute regarding wages and working conditions. Reports suggest that possibly thousands of flights will be affected, leaving many travelers stranded during the peak holiday season. Lufthansa, the main airline operating from Frankfurt, highlighted "delays and extensive cancellations" across its fleet, while Munich Airport indicated a "greatly reduced flight schedule."
Katja Bromm, spokesperson for Hamburg Airport, criticized the timing of the strike, labeling it "dishonourable" and asserting that it unfairly impacts travelers who are innocent bystanders in the labor disputes. Despite acknowledging the disruption caused, a Verdi representative emphasized that the protests are necessary to pressure employers into a more favorable offer.
With Frankfurt Airport alone suffering from the cancellation of a significant portion of its 1,770 scheduled flights, additional cancellations have been reported at Munich, Stuttgart, Dusseldorf, Cologne, and Berlin airports. Passengers are also facing challenges retrieving checked luggage due to the strike's impact, which has brought Hanover Airport to a complete halt.
The scope of Verdi’s activities is not limited to airports, as the union has also initiated strikes in waste collection services across cities such as Berlin, Essen, and Kiel, where rubbish collection has been neglected since last week. The union is demanding an 8% pay increase for airport staff or at least €350 more per month, in addition to enhanced bonuses and additional time off, though employers claim these demands are too costly to accommodate.
Further strikes are anticipated this week in federal and local government-operated facilities, according to news agency DPA. A new round of negotiations is slated for Friday in Potsdam, which may provide an opportunity to address the ongoing disputes.
Verdi, which advocates for public sector and transport workers, has been engaged in a dispute regarding wages and working conditions. Reports suggest that possibly thousands of flights will be affected, leaving many travelers stranded during the peak holiday season. Lufthansa, the main airline operating from Frankfurt, highlighted "delays and extensive cancellations" across its fleet, while Munich Airport indicated a "greatly reduced flight schedule."
Katja Bromm, spokesperson for Hamburg Airport, criticized the timing of the strike, labeling it "dishonourable" and asserting that it unfairly impacts travelers who are innocent bystanders in the labor disputes. Despite acknowledging the disruption caused, a Verdi representative emphasized that the protests are necessary to pressure employers into a more favorable offer.
With Frankfurt Airport alone suffering from the cancellation of a significant portion of its 1,770 scheduled flights, additional cancellations have been reported at Munich, Stuttgart, Dusseldorf, Cologne, and Berlin airports. Passengers are also facing challenges retrieving checked luggage due to the strike's impact, which has brought Hanover Airport to a complete halt.
The scope of Verdi’s activities is not limited to airports, as the union has also initiated strikes in waste collection services across cities such as Berlin, Essen, and Kiel, where rubbish collection has been neglected since last week. The union is demanding an 8% pay increase for airport staff or at least €350 more per month, in addition to enhanced bonuses and additional time off, though employers claim these demands are too costly to accommodate.
Further strikes are anticipated this week in federal and local government-operated facilities, according to news agency DPA. A new round of negotiations is slated for Friday in Potsdam, which may provide an opportunity to address the ongoing disputes.
