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Flights to and from Germany’s six main airports face “extensive cancellations” tomorrow (Wednesday) due to strike action by ground staff.
The warning of disruption to tens of thousands of passengers was issued by Lufthansa for Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf, Cologne/Bonn, Dortmund and Hanover airports.
The industrial action threatens to affect ground handling, passenger checks and airport fire services.
“As a result, there will be extensive cancellations of flights on Wednesday at Lufthansa’s home Frankfurt and Munich hubs,” Lufthansa said. “Disruptions and delays must also be expected at all the airports involved.”
While the impact of these strikes is likely to vary due to the differing lengths and the operations affected at the airports concerned, Lufthansa issued a special timetable to help travellers plan.
All long haul services from Munich have been grounded, while only a “small number” of domestic and European services are expected to run.
“As a result, Lufthansa will only be able to offer around 90 flights from and to Munich on Wednesday,” the airline said.
The carrier plans to operate most of its international flights from and to Frankfurt, even during the strike period between 4.30am to 3pm local time, but most domestic services and numerous flights within Europe will have to be cancelled.
Düsseldorf, Cologne/Bonn, Dortmund and Hanover airports will also suffer flight cancellations as a result of the strike.
Lufthansa chief officer corporate human resource and legal affairs, Bettina Volkens, said: “The Wednesday strike called by the Verdi union confirms once again the urgent need for certain ‘rules of play’ on industrial action in the aviation field.
“We want to see binding mediation or conciliation procedures here before such strike action can be taken.
“Once again our travellers will be affected by industrial action that is being taken in connection with collective bargaining negotiations in which Lufthansa is totally uninvolved.
“This is a clear case of using aviation for token strikes because of its high media profile, and even though the associated negotiations will be continued the very next day.”