Warning strikes at German airports: About 1,100 flights are expected to be cancelled

Air travelers departing from or destination in Germany should have strong nerves on Thursday. The Verdi union began its warning strikes for aviation security late Wednesday evening. The beginning was in Cologne/Bonn, where, according to Verde, the night shift monitoring passengers did not show up for work. The union's responsible secretary, Ozai Tarim, said that participation there was 100 percent. “This was a successful start to the strike.”

About 80% of flight movements scheduled for Cologne/Bonn on Thursday were canceled there, the airport's website showed early Thursday morning. The Verdi Tarim man expected this percentage to rise throughout the day. The consequences were more serious at Berlin, Hamburg and Stuttgart airports, where all take-off flights were cancelled. However, in Düsseldorf, only two-thirds of the flight movements were supposed to be carried out.

Who is on strike?

Staff are called at checkpoints at eleven larger airports outside Bavaria. If they stop working completely, no passengers from abroad will come onto the plane in the security area.

Travelers should keep themselves informed

In Frankfurt, Lufthansa, AUA's parent company, wants to maintain the majority of its programme, including long-haul flights. Flights will also be offered for those relocating. In all cases, travelers are advised to check the status of their flights to avoid stranding at the airport.

Austria was also affected

According to estimates by the airport association ADV, about 1,100 flights will be canceled or delayed. About 200,000 passengers are affected. Communications between Germany and Austria were also affected. Normal flight operations will not be possible again until Friday. Then Verdi's next warning strike was already planned – a nationwide one on local public transport.

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Trade unionist Tarim said they wanted to send a clear signal. “We will now use employees to put pressure on employers so we can finally make progress at the negotiating table.” Collective bargaining talks are scheduled to continue on February 6 in Berlin.