2,600+ Flights Canceled as Nationwide Strike Hits German Airports

Widespread strike action is causing severe disruption at German airports. As of Monday afternoon, all of the country’s largest gateways are affected, including the key Lufthansa hubs in Frankfurt and Munich. 

According to Flightradar24 data, more than 2,600 flights have been canceled, including all scheduled departures from Berlin.

Lufthansa is the worst affected airline with 962 cancellations as well as 252 at its short-haul leisure subsidiary Eurowings. Low-cost carrier Ryanair has canceled 131 flights, while easyJet has scrapped 88.

The Verdi trade union, which represents public sector workers called the strike in a long-running dispute over pay and conditions. Ground and security staff are among other union members to walk out. The 24-hour action is due to end at midnight on Tuesday, however, knock-on disruption is likely. 

A ‘Disproportionate Strike’

All 143 departures and almost half of arrivals at Hamburg Airport are canceled on Monday.

“This disproportionate strike is affecting many uninvolved people, some of whom have been saving up for their holidays for a long time or wanted to see their friends and relatives again after a long time,” said airport spokesperson, Janet Niemeyer.

The nationwide disruption on Monday followed a short-notice walkout in Hamburg on Sunday. The unexpected action resulted in the city’s airport being closed for the whole day. 

Meanwhile, Fraport – the operator of Frankfurt Airport – advised all departing passengers not to travel to its terminals. “All services essential for maintaining full flight operations will be suspended during the strike period. As a result, originating passengers departing from Frankfurt will not be able to take their flight,” Fraport said.

The airport operator said transit passengers were also likely to be affected, with only the “most essential airport services” provided. On Monday alone, more than 150,000 passengers were due to pass through the airport onboard approximately 1,170 flights.

The Economic Impact

Ralph Beisel, managing director of the German airport trade association ADV, called on Verdi and politicians to work to find an agreement. “The economic damage caused by such strikes is immense and affects not only the aviation industry, but the entire economy, and this in an already extremely tense economic situation.”

A Lufthansa spokesperson told Skift that the precise number of flights affected was not yet available, but confirmed that “flight operations at the individual airports in Germany are partially or completely restricted.” 

Monday's strike is unrelated to a major dispute last year that crippled Lufthansa operations and cost it more than €350 million ($373m).

The spokesperson added that the company’s focus is on stabilizing its operation after the walkout. “All preparations are already being made for this, including the appropriate positioning of aircraft and the adjustment of duty rosters. Nevertheless, it cannot be ruled out that there may still be isolated flight cancellations or delays due to the severity of the Verdi strike on Tuesday.”

Verdi union negotiator, Wolfgang Pieper, hinted that Monday’s action could be met with further walkouts if progress is not made. "With their warning strikes on Monday, the employees will show that they are serious about improving their working conditions." 

A Verdi statement added that “employers are called upon to continue the negotiations constructively in order to avoid further strikes and to end the wage dispute before Easter.”

The next round of formal negotiations is scheduled for March 26 and 27.