German Airports disrupted as Nationwide strike grounds hundreds of flights

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Tuesday, March 11th, 2025

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RKI Network
Germany’s air travel has been thrown into chaos as airport workers stage a nationwide strike over pay, leading to the cancellation of hundreds of flights. The strike, organized by the trade union Verdi, began unexpectedly on Sunday at Hamburg Airport before expanding to major hubs across the country.
Passengers at Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, and other key airports have been urged to avoid traveling as flight operations remain severely disrupted. Frankfurt Airport, the country’s busiest, warned that boarding and transfers would be “almost certainly” affected. Lufthansa confirmed “delays and extensive cancellations” across its network, while Munich Airport reported a “greatly reduced flight schedule.”
According to German media, thousands of flights could be cancelled, impacting over 500,000 passengers. Hamburg Airport spokeswoman Katja Bromm criticized Verdi for initiating a strike without notice at the start of the holiday season, calling the action “excessive and unfair.” Meanwhile, Verdi defended its decision, arguing that disruption was necessary to push for a better wage offer.
The strike has paralyzed operations at multiple airports. Frankfurt has already seen many of its 1,770 scheduled flights cancelled, while the majority of Munich’s 820 flights are also expected to be grounded. Disruptions have also hit Stuttgart, Dusseldorf, Cologne, and Berlin, leaving passengers stranded. Many travelers who had already checked in their luggage struggled to retrieve it.
Beyond aviation, Verdi has extended the strike to waste collection in cities such as Berlin, Essen, and Kiel, where garbage has remained uncollected for days. The union is demanding an 8% wage increase, or at least €350 more per month, alongside better bonuses and additional time off—demands employers have so far rejected.
Further strikes targeting public sector facilities are expected later this week, with negotiations set for Friday in Potsdam.