Warning one-day strikes organized by the Verdi trade union have begun at 13 major German airports, severely impacting air travel across the country. The strike started at 00:00 (02:00 MSK) on March 11 and is expected to last until 23:59 (01:59 MSK on March 12), according to TASS, citing DPA.
Extent of the Strikes and Passenger Impact
The strikes have affected airports in Berlin, Bremen, Hamburg, Hanover, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt am Main, Cologne/Bonn, and Leipzig/Halle. At Weeze (near Düsseldorf) and Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden airports, only aviation security personnel have joined the protest.
According to preliminary estimates from the German Airports Association (ADV), the strike will lead to the cancellation of over 3,400 flights, disrupting travel plans for approximately 510,000 passengers.
“These strikes are disproportionate,” said Joachim Lang, a representative of the German Air Transport Association (BDL). “New regulations should be introduced for strikes affecting critical infrastructure.”
Frankfurt Airport: Major Air Travel Disruptions
Frankfurt Airport, Germany’s largest aviation hub, was set to handle 1,170 flights on March 11, accommodating around 150,000 passengers. However, operator Fraport has already urged passengers not to come to the terminals, as most flights are expected to be canceled or rescheduled.
Union Demands
The Verdi union is demanding an 8% wage increase for ground staff, with a minimum raise of €350 per month. Additionally, they are pushing for three extra vacation days.
Government representatives have not yet commented on possible negotiations, but experts anticipate continued labor disputes if no agreement is reached.
Strikes in Germany’s aviation sector have previously caused widespread travel disruptions. During past protests, up to 800,000 passengers were unable to complete their scheduled flights.
