06 Mar 2024 | 01:39 PM UTC
Germany: Air travel disruptions, cancellations likely nationwide through March 9 /update 1
Various types of strike action are set to impact air travel services nationwide in Germany March 6-9. Reconfirm all flights.
Air travel will be severely disrupted from March 6-9 due to several rounds of strike action led by the Verdi labor union.
Unionized ground staff employed by Lufthansa (LH) plan to strike at airports nationwide 20:00 March 6-07:10 March 9.
Ground security staff at the Hamburg (HAM) and Frankfurt (FRA) airports will conduct a 24-hour strike from 22:00 March 6-22:00 March 7. No flights will depart from these airports during the strike period.
The union is demanding increased pay and an inflation compensation bonus for employees.
Due to the Lufthansa ground staff strike, passenger processing delays and resultant flight disruptions are highly likely across the Lufthansa network; flight delays will likely have a knock-on effect on flight operations outside of Germany. The security personnel strike will cause cancellations of flights departing from HAM and FRA; for transiting flights, security checkpoints will remain open. The strike will not have a direct impact on arriving flights at HAM or FRA. Residual disruptions will probably extend for several hours after the strikes end as carriers work to clear flight backlogs. Striking workers could picket outside airports or near Lufthansa offices; heightened security and localized transport disruptions are likely near any demonstrations that materialize.
Reconfirm travel arrangements if booked to fly with Lufthansa March 6-9 or if traveling via HAM or FRA March 6-7. Do not check out of accommodations until onward travel is confirmed. Allow extra time to clear check-in and security during the strike period. Avoid all demonstrations as a standard precaution.
Lufthansa is the busiest airline in Germany and operates at all of the country's largest airports. Previous strikes by Verdi-affiliated ground staff in recent weeks have led to the cancellation of up to 90 percent of Lufthansa services at affected airports. The next round of collective bargaining is scheduled for March 13-14; should the parties fail to come to an agreement, further strikes are almost certain.
