Lufthansa Group airlines are among those facing “extensive cancellations” and delays due to a German airport workers’ strike.
The association of Germany’s airport operators ADV said that around 510,000 people would be affected and more than 3,400 flights cancelled.
Almost 300 flights were affected at Hamburg airport on Sunday as ground handlers walked out without warning ahead of wider action planned across Germany today (Monday).
Hamburg airport was forced to cancel 144 arrivals and 139 departures affecting more than 40,000 passengers after a walkout by aircraft handling staff without notice. An additional 40,000 passengers are affected by the industrial action today.
Trade union Verdi, which represents airport ground handling staff and public sector workers, said strike action would continue on Monday, and would also impact passenger security checks.
The action would severely disrupt plans for families trying to travel during local spring holidays, Hamburg airport said.
The union is demanding an 8% wage hike, or an increase of at least €350 a month, as well as higher bonuses and additional time off.
Verdi is escalating action after staging several walk-outs last month after employers rejected the union’s demands as unaffordable.
Frankfurt airport, Lufthansa’s main hub, warned that operations will be “heavily disrupted” today.
“Passengers are requested to refrain from traveling to the airport. Transfer traffic will also be affected,” a statement said.
Munich airport faces “considerable restrictions” and a greatly reduced flight schedule, with travellers advised to check with airlines.
Other airports affected during the 34-hour strike include Stuttgart, Cologne/Bonn, Dusseldorf, Dortmund, Hanover, Bremen, Berlin and Leipzig-Halle.
Lufthansa said: “Lufthansa Group and its airlines are not collective bargaining partners in this dispute with the Verdi union, but – like many other airlines – are affected.
“There will be delays and extensive cancellations on all Lufthansa Group airlines’ flights to and from the affected airports on the day of the strike.
“Lufthansa Group has published a special flight schedule. The aim is to be able to return to a stable flight schedule as quickly as possible after the end of the strike.
“In the event of a cancellation, Lufthansa Group guests will automatically be rebooked onto another flight free of charge. This rebooking can also be adjusted again if desired.
“If a domestic Lufthansa flight has been cancelled, the flight ticket can be converted into a Deutsche Bahn ticket free of charge.”
A Hamburg airport spokesperson said: “This is the second day in a row and the fifth day in total that Verdi has called for work stoppages at Hamburg airport. That is significantly more than at other German locations.
“And this is despite the fact that Hamburg is the only federal state in Germany to be going on vacation. This is excessive and unfair to tens of thousands of travellers who have nothing to do with the disputes.”