Hundreds of flights across Germany have been cancelled as airport workers stage a massive strike over pay disputes, causing major disruptions for air travelers. The industrial action, organized by the trade union Verdi, began unexpectedly at Hamburg Airport before spreading nationwide. Passengers at key airports such as Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin have been advised to avoid traveling, as operations remain severely affected. Frankfurt Airport, the busiest in Germany, has warned that passengers will be unable to board flights, and connections will likely be disrupted.
The strike is part of an ongoing dispute over wages and working conditions, with Verdi pushing for an 8% pay increase or at least €350 more per month for all employees, along with additional vacation days. German media reports indicate that thousands of flights could be cancelled, impacting over 500,000 passengers. Airlines, including those under the Lufthansa Group, have confirmed significant delays and widespread cancellations, with Munich Airport warning of a severely reduced flight schedule affecting carriers like Eurowings, Austrian Airlines, and Swiss Air.
The sudden nature of the strike has drawn criticism from airport officials. Katja Bromm, spokesperson for Hamburg Airport, condemned Verdi’s decision to strike without prior notice at the start of the holiday season. She described the action as excessive and unfair to the thousands of travelers caught in the middle of the dispute. Meanwhile, a Verdi representative defended the strike, emphasizing that disruptions were an unfortunate but necessary tactic to push for better wages.
In Frankfurt, over 1,770 scheduled flights have already been cancelled, while in Munich, the majority of its 820 flights are expected to be grounded. Further cancellations are anticipated in Stuttgart, Dusseldorf, Cologne, and Berlin. Many passengers who had already checked in their luggage are now struggling to reclaim their belongings. ADV, the association representing major German airports, stated that air traffic had been “almost completely paralyzed” by the strike.
Verdi has highlighted wage disparities at airports, noting that while hourly wages range from €13 to €25, security staff receive fewer vacation days compared to other workers. The union argues that employers have failed to present any serious offer during negotiations, despite two rounds of talks. According to Lars Stubbe, Verdi’s representative in Hamburg, employers have refused to put forward any financial proposals, claiming budgetary constraints.
In response, BDLS, the body responsible for setting security workers’ wages, has criticized the strike, arguing that it primarily harms businesses uninvolved in negotiations. The organization has called on the German government to outlaw short-notice strikes in the aviation sector, citing the critical role of air travel for the country’s economy. Ralph Beisel, general manager of ADV, warned that the strike was not only impacting German airports but also disrupting European and global flight connections, creating a “domino effect” of delays.
The walkout is part of a broader wave of industrial action in Germany, with Verdi also organizing strikes in waste collection services across several cities, including Berlin, Essen, and Kiel. Bins have gone uncollected for days as a result of the ongoing disputes. Pay talks for government workers are scheduled to resume in Potsdam on Friday, while negotiations for airport security staff are set to continue later this month.
Critics argue that Verdi’s demands could place a significant financial burden on municipalities, with estimates suggesting the proposed pay increases could cost up to €15 billion. Given the current municipal debt of approximately €160 billion, some officials believe these demands are unrealistic. However, union representatives maintain that fair wages and improved working conditions are essential for airport staff who play a crucial role in maintaining Germany’s air transport infrastructure.
As negotiations remain deadlocked, travelers across Germany continue to face uncertainty, with no clear resolution in sight. If an agreement is not reached soon, further disruptions could be on the horizon, potentially affecting travel plans well beyond the current strike period.
