German airport strike grounds 3,400 flights, disrupts travel
Significant issues for travellers at German airports have arisen. More than 3,400 flights could be cancelled due to the Verdi union strike. The protest is also impacting other airlines, which have already cancelled some flights to German cities.
The strike affects 11 German airports, and initial estimates suggest the number of cancelled flights could exceed 3,400.
According to data from the airport association ADV, approximately 510,000 passengers will need to alter 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 it will cease all aviation operations on Monday. The operator of Germany's largest airport, Frankfurt, also anticipates major disruptions. Travel from Frankfurt will not be possible, stated Fraport.
Due to the strike, all flights were halted on Sunday at Hamburg Airport in northern Germany.
The Monday protest will impact airports in Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Cologne/Bonn, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Hanover, Bremen, Hamburg, Berlin Brandenburg, and Leipzig/Halle.
Protesters' demands
- 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 £300 monthly, and three additional days of leave.
