Hundreds of flights have been canceled across Germany as airport workers stage a nationwide strike over pay, causing major disruptions for air travelers.
The industrial action, led by the Verdi trade union, began unexpectedly on Sunday at Hamburg Airport before expanding to major hubs across the country, including Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin. The strike has severely affected airport operations, with authorities urging passengers to avoid travel.
Frankfurt Airport, Germany’s busiest, has warned that passengers will likely be unable to board flights, while Munich Airport has advised travelers to expect a “greatly reduced flight schedule.” Many of Frankfurt’s 1,770 scheduled flights have already been canceled, and nearly all of Munich’s 820 flights are expected to be affected.
Lufthansa, whose main hub is in Frankfurt, has confirmed “delays and extensive cancellations” across its network. Other affected airports include Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Cologne, and Berlin, with reports suggesting that over 3,500 flights could be canceled, impacting more than 500,000 passengers.
Beyond the aviation sector, Verdi has also called for strikes in waste collection services across several German cities, leaving bins unemptied in places such as Berlin, Essen, and Kiel.
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. However, employers have rejected these demands, citing financial constraints. The union has defended its actions, arguing that disruptions are necessary to pressure employers into offering better conditions.
Hamburg Airport spokesperson Katja Bromm criticized the strike’s timing, calling it “excessive and unfair” to travelers, particularly as the holiday season begins. Many passengers, caught off guard by the sudden strike, have struggled to retrieve checked-in luggage.
The strike, expected to last 24 hours, is part of ongoing labor disputes in Germany. Further strikes in public sector facilities operated by the federal government and local authorities are anticipated later in the week. The next round of wage negotiations is scheduled for Friday in Potsdam, while separate talks for airport security workers are set to resume on March 26.
BBC, the Associated Press, and Deutsche Welle contributed to this report.
