A massive airport strike across Germany has led to widespread flight cancellations, affecting major travel hubs and stranding thousands of passengers.
The strike, organized by the Verdi trade union, started unexpectedly on Sunday at Hamburg Airport before expanding nationwide. Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, and other major airports have warned travelers to avoid heading to terminals due to severe disruptions. Frankfurt Airport, the country’s busiest, stated that flight boarding and transfers would be “almost certainly” affected.
Verdi, representing public sector and transport workers, is locked in a dispute over wages and working conditions. German media reports indicate that up to thousands of flights may be impacted throughout the day, disrupting plans for over 500,000 passengers.
Lufthansa has confirmed “delays and extensive cancellations” across its airlines, while Munich Airport has warned of a “greatly reduced flight schedule.”
Watch here: Germany in Travel Chaos as Nationwide Airport Strikes Cancel Hundreds of Flights
Mounting Frustration Among Passengers and Officials
The walkout has triggered strong reactions. Katja Bromm, spokeswoman for Hamburg Airport, criticized Verdi’s decision to strike without prior notice, calling it “dishonourable” and unfair to passengers.
Meanwhile, a Verdi spokesperson acknowledged the disruptions but insisted that such action was necessary to secure better wages and conditions for workers.
Frankfurt Airport, which had 1,770 flights scheduled, has already seen widespread cancellations. Munich, with 820 planned flights, is expected to experience a similar impact. Stuttgart, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Berlin, and Hanover are also reporting major disruptions, with air traffic in some airports grinding to a halt.
Strikes Extend Beyond Airports
The strikes are not limited to airports. Waste collection services in several cities, including Berlin, Essen, and Kiel, have also been affected, with bins remaining unemptied for days.
Verdi is demanding an 8% wage increase or at least €350 more per month– for airport workers, along with higher bonuses and additional time off. Employers, however, argue that meeting these demands is financially unfeasible.
More strikes are expected in government-operated facilities in the coming days. The next round of negotiations between the union and authorities is scheduled for Friday in Potsdam.
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