Hundreds of flights cancelled in Germany as European airport strikes continue to bite
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
A wave of strikes has swept German airports today, forcing delays and cancellations to hundreds of flights.
Berlin, Bremen, Hamburg and Hannover airports said no commercial flights would take off after trade union Verdi triggered a walkout by its members over pay.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
“Due to the warning strike by employees at the aviation security controls, no commercial departures will take place at BER today, March 13. Incoming flights may also be affected,” Berlin airport said on its website.
By 10 a.m. on Monday morning, according to flight tracking website FlightAware, 184 flights had been cancelled at Berlin-Brandenberg, affecting around 27,000 passengers, mainly at Ryanair (43), Lufthansa (22), Eurowings (20) and easyJet (18).
Meanwhile, Hamburg said all 123 departures had been cancelled alongside at least 50 of the 121 planned arrivals.
Hamburg Airport said that “no takeoffs [will be] possible” on Monday, adding that some arriving flights would be possible during this period but could well be hit by heavy delays.
“Due to the Verdi strike from Sunday, 12 March – 10 p.m., to Monday, 13 March – 11 p.m., all departures will be cancelled,” it told passengers. “There may also be flight cancellations and delays in arrivals. Affected passengers are asked to contact their airline.”
Related: BA promises no repeat of last summer’s travel chaos
Germany’s airport association, the ADV, said around 45,000 passengers were directly affected due to the strikes.
Today’s strike comes amid a wave of strikes across Europe; in today’s case the dispute is one regarding pay.
Verdi wants its members to receive a 10.5% pay increase to match inflation and help against the rising cost of living that has embattled workers across the continent.
Employers, however, have so far only offered a rise totalling 5% in two stages, on top of one-time payments of €2,500 (£2,210) per employee. Unions have rejected this as insufficient. The next round of talks is due to start 27 March.
Last month saw hundreds of flights at Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) and Cologne/Bonn Airport (CGN) cancelled after the Verdi’s chairman warned the union was planning to “up the ante” to place further pressure on employers.
FEATURED IMAGE BY CHRISTIAN DARBY SANTOS / EYEEM VIA GETTY.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.