Most flights cancelled across Germany as major strike action begins at 13 airports
The one day walk out has already left thousands of flights grounded at hubs including Berlin, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and Munich.
A one-day strike by workers at 13 German airports, including the Frankfurt and Munich hubs and all the country’s other main destinations, has caused the cancellation of most flights on Monday 10 March.
More than half a million people could face travel disruption today across the country, with more than 3,400 expected flight cancellations, according to German Airports Association ADV.
Passengers have been urged not to travel to airports and are being advised to contact their airline or tour operator for information about rebooking or alternative travel options.
The 24-hour walkout, which started at midnight, involves public-sector employees at the airports as well as ground and security staff.
Where are airport workers on strike in Germany?
The operator of Frankfurt Airport, Germany’s busiest, has said that no passenger flights will depart from there on Monday. Transfers are also likely to be affected.
Of the 1,116 scheduled incoming and outbound flights, 1,050 have already been cancelled with that number expected to rise.
The airport operator says delays and cancellations may also be possible on Tuesday.
Flights have also been cancelled at Berlin Airport, as it warned passengers that “all regular departures and arrivals will be affected by the strikes and therefore cannot take place.”
Hamburg Airport has said no departures would be possible with strikes affecting several areas including aircraft handling and passenger security checks. Arrivals may still be possible but, it adds, “significant disruptions and cancellations are expected”. Late night check-in for Tuesday flights also won’t be possible on 10 March.
It has advised passengers planning to depart on Monday not to come to the airport and to contact their airline.
Cologne/Bonn Airport said there was no regular passenger service, adding that “passengers who have booked a flight for Monday should contact their airline or travel agent before travelling to find out about the status of their flight.”
Munich Airport advised travelers to expect a “greatly reduced flight schedule”, saying passengers are “strongly advised to check the flight status with their airline”.
The ver.di service workers union’s strike targeted the Hamburg, Bremen, Hannover, Berlin, Duesseldorf, Dortmund, Cologne/Bonn, Leipzig/Halle, Stuttgart and Munich airports.
At the smaller Weeze and Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden airports, only security workers were called out. The union announced the strike on Friday.
Short notice strike at Hamburg leaves thousands of passengers stranded
At Hamburg Airport, ver.di added a short-notice walkout on Sunday 9 March to the strike on Monday, arguing that it must ensure the measure was effective. Staff walked out early on Sunday morning, leaving thousands of passengers facing disruption, and airlines forced to cancel or redirect flights.
ADVERTISEMENTThe so-called “warning strike,” a common tactic in German wage negotiations, relates to two separate pay disputes: negotiations on a new pay and conditions contract for airport security workers, and a wider dispute over pay for employees of federal and municipal governments.
The latter already has led to walkouts at Cologne/Bonn, Duesseldorf, Hamburg and Munich airports.
Pay talks in that dispute are due to resume on Friday, while the next round of talks for airport security workers is expected to start on 26 March.
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