Lufthansa cancels 800 flights in Germany amid nationwide strike

Thursday 12 - 16:00

By: Sahili Aya

Lufthansa cancels 800 flights in Germany amid nationwide strike

Lufthansa was forced to cancel around 800 flights departing from Germany on Thursday due to a coordinated strike involving pilots and cabin crew, significantly disrupting air traffic across the country.

According to the airline group, the cancellations affected approximately 100,000 passengers. The strike primarily impacted operations at major hubs including Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg, and Düsseldorf. Munich Airport experienced fewer disruptions, with most scheduled departures operating as planned.

The industrial action involves pilots represented by the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) union, who are protesting against proposed changes to corporate pension schemes. The union argues that the current retirement provisions fall well below previous compensation standards and is demanding a collective agreement that guarantees long-term security and stability for both existing pilots and future recruits.

Simultaneously, the cabin crew union UFO called for a warning strike at Lufthansa CityLine, the group’s regional subsidiary specializing in European routes. The union has expressed concerns over the subsidiary’s future, amid reports suggesting a gradual operational shutdown without clear alternatives for employees.

Passengers affected by the cancellations have been offered the option to rebook their flights or request refunds. For domestic routes within Germany, Lufthansa is allowing travelers to use Deutsche Bahn train services free of charge as an alternative.

The airline has indicated that it aims to restore a near-normal flight schedule starting Friday, depending on the evolution of negotiations.

As Europe’s largest airline group, Lufthansa also operates Eurowings, Austrian Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, and Brussels Airlines. The strike highlights ongoing tensions within the European aviation sector, where labor disputes continue to challenge post-pandemic recovery efforts.