More than 650 flights are to be grounded in a second wave of strike action by workers at Berlin’s two main airports.
The disruption by ground staff at the Tegel and Schoenefeld airports began at 4am local time today and will run for 25 hours.
A similar walkout on Friday led to nearly 700 flights being grounded at the two airport, causing chaos for departing trade visitors to the ITB travel exhibition in the German city.
The service workers’ union Verdi is demanding higher pay for around 2,000 workers handling passengers and baggage.
The two airports warned that 448 flights would be cancelled at Tegel and 194 at Schonefeld. All British Airways flights to and from Berlin have been cancelled
“We have been informed that large numbers of airport workers at Berlin Tegel airport are threatening to hold industrial action on Monday,” BA said.
“Unfortunately, we have been forced to cancel all of our flights to and from the airport.
“We will be using larger aircraft, where possible, on other German services as well as Berlin services on Tuesday, to help affected customers and are doing all we can to reduce the levels of disruption. ”
EasyJet said: “We are working to minimise the impact of this strike, but like other airlines flying to and from Berlin there will be cancellations and significant delays.”
Ryanair has cancelled at least 75 flights to and from Berlin Schonefeld while Lufthansa German domestic services between Berlin Tegal and Frankfurt and Munich have also been grounded.
Air Berlin, which expects to run long-haul services, warned: “The strike will have a considerable impact on the air traffic to and from Berlin and, unfortunately, passengers should expect delays, flight cancellations and, in particular, significant disruptions in baggage handling.”