News

Hundreds of flights grounded as German airport workers walk out

More than 600 flights have been cancelled at German airports due to a strike by security staff in a pay dispute.

The airports targeted are Dusseldorf, the country’s third-largest, Cologne-Bonn and Stuttgart.

About 60,000 passengers are affected at Dusseldorf, with two-thirds of flights cancelled, ARD TV reports.

German media say 350 out of 570 planned flights have been cancelled in Düsseldorf; 130 out of 200 flights in Cologne, and 142 out of 270 in Stuttgart.

About 50 flights were cancelled when security staff went on strike at Berlin’s Tegel and Schönefeld airports on Monday.

The Verdi union wants a pay rise to €20 per hour for security staff, from the present rate of €17.

ARD says many travellers had time to make alternative arrangements, as the strike had been announced in advance.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued an updated travel advisory for Germany and said: “Many flights are delayed or cancelled due to security personnel strikes at Cologne, Dusseldorf and Stuttgart airports; check with your airline before travelling to the airport.”

Share article

View Comments

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.