Germany is facing widespread travel disruptions as a nationwide strike by airport workers leads to the cancellation of hundreds of flights. The strike, organized by the Verdi trade union, has severely impacted major airports, including Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin, leaving over 500,000 passengers stranded.
Widespread Disruptions Across Major Hubs
What began as an unexpected walkout at Hamburg Airport on Sunday quickly escalated into a nationwide strike, bringing much of Germany’s air travel to a halt. Frankfurt Airport, the country’s busiest, has warned that passengers will be unable to board flights, while transit operations are also expected to be significantly affected. Munich Airport has implemented a greatly reduced flight schedule, impacting airlines such as Eurowings, Austrian Airlines, and Swiss Air.
Lufthansa, Germany’s largest airline, has confirmed extensive delays and cancellations across its network. Thousands of flights are expected to be canceled throughout the day, with major hubs such as Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Cologne, and Berlin also experiencing severe disruptions. Many passengers who had already checked in their luggage are now struggling to retrieve their belongings.
Union Demands and Employer Stalemate
The strike is part of an ongoing dispute between Verdi and employers over pay and working conditions. The union is demanding an 8% wage increase, or at least €350 per month, along with three additional holiday days for all workers and an extra day for union members. Security workers, in particular, receive less annual leave than others despite earning wages between €13 and €25 per hour.
Negotiations between Verdi and employers have made little progress. Despite two rounds of talks, employers have not yet presented a concrete pay offer. The union argues that the lack of a negotiable proposal has forced workers to take action, despite the disruption it causes to passengers.
Industry and Government Response
The aviation industry and business groups have criticized the strike for its widespread impact on Germany’s economy and international travel. ADV, which represents German airports, has stated that air traffic has been almost completely paralyzed. Calls for stricter strike regulations in critical infrastructure have grown, with industry representatives warning of a “domino effect” on European and global air traffic due to missed connections.
BDLS, the body responsible for setting security workers’ wages, has condemned the strike for affecting companies that are not directly involved in the negotiations. The organization has also urged the government to consider laws limiting short-notice strikes in essential sectors such as air transport.
Further Strikes and Negotiation Plans
Beyond the aviation industry, Verdi has also initiated strikes in other sectors, including waste collection in Berlin, Essen, and Kiel, where garbage has gone uncollected for over a week. Negotiations for public sector workers are scheduled to resume on Friday in Potsdam, while discussions specifically concerning airport security staff will take place on March 26.
Despite criticism, the union remains firm in its position, emphasizing that employers must present a reasonable offer to avoid further disruptions. Meanwhile, financial concerns have been raised over Verdi’s demands, with estimates suggesting that meeting them would cost nearly €15 billion—an expense municipal employers argue is not feasible given Germany’s €160 billion municipal debt.
As negotiations continue, air travelers and businesses across Germany remain on edge, with the potential for further strikes looming over an already strained transportation network.