Strike chaos grounds over 3,400 flights in Germany
German airports are experiencing massive problems for travelers. The Verdi union strike could result in more than 3,400 flight cancellations.
The strike affects 11 German airports, and preliminary estimates suggest the number of cancelled flights could exceed 3,400.
According to data from the airport association ADV, approximately 510,000 passengers will have to modify their travel plans.
"A simultaneous protest at eleven airports represents an unprecedented scale of action," explained Ralph Beisel, head of ADV, as quoted by Tagesschau.
Eleven airports affected by the strike
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) announced that it will halt all aviation operations on Monday. The operator of Germany's largest airport, Frankfurt, also anticipates major disruptions. Travel from Frankfurt will not be possible, Fraport said.
Due to the strike, all flights were already halted on Sunday at the Hamburg airport in northern Germany.
The Monday protest affects airports in Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Cologne/Bonn, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Hanover, Bremen, Hamburg, Berlin Brandenburg, and Leipzig/Halle.
Demands of the protesters
- We feel compelled to go on this warning strike because the employers have not yet presented an offer in the ongoing collective bargaining for public sector employees and have shown no willingness to meet our justified demands - stated Christine Behle, deputy national chair of Verdi, as quoted by Tagesschau.
The union is demanding, among other things, a wage increase of 8%, but not less than 350 euros (approximately CAD 500) monthly, as well as three additional days off work.
