A 24-hour strike by workers at 13 German airports, including Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin, led to the cancellation of most flights on Monday, affecting more than 560,000 passengers. The walkout, organized by the ver.di service workers union, involved public-sector employees, ground staff, and airport security personnel as part of a dispute over wage increases and working conditions.
Frankfurt Airport, Germany's busiest hub, saw 1,054 of its 1,116 scheduled flights canceled, according to German news agency dpa. In Berlin, all regular departures and arrivals were scrapped, while Hamburg Airport said no departures were possible. Cologne/Bonn Airport reported a complete suspension of regular passenger service, and Munich Airport warned travelers of a "greatly reduced flight schedule."
The strike also impacted airports in Bremen, Hannover, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Leipzig/Halle, and Stuttgart. Smaller airports such as Weeze and Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden saw disruptions limited to security screenings. The German airports' association, ADV, estimated that over 3,500 flights were grounded nationwide.
The industrial action was announced last Friday, but in Hamburg, workers escalated the strike by initiating an unplanned walkout on Sunday, causing nearly 300 additional flight cancellations. The union defended the move, arguing it was necessary to ensure the strike's effectiveness.
The dispute stems from two separate negotiations: one regarding pay for airport security workers, and another over salaries and benefits for federal and municipal employees. The ver.di union is demanding an 8% wage increase or a minimum raise of €350 ($380) per month, along with higher bonuses and additional time off. Employers have rejected the demands as financially unsustainable.
Fraport, the operator of Frankfurt Airport, warned that the disruption could extend beyond Monday, with potential delays and cancellations continuing into Tuesday. No passenger flights would depart from Frankfurt on Monday, a spokesperson for the company said, adding that travelers should check with their airlines for updates.
Pay negotiations in the broader public sector dispute are set to resume on Friday, while talks for airport security workers are scheduled for March 26.
