Lufthansa pilots and cabin crew announce nationwide strike

Wednesday 11 February 2026 - 07:40

By: Sahili Aya

Lufthansa pilots and cabin crew announce nationwide strike

Pilots and cabin crew at Germany’s flagship airline Lufthansa have announced a coordinated one-day strike scheduled for Thursday, a move expected to disrupt air travel nationwide and lead to the cancellation of hundreds of flights.

The industrial action, organized by the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) pilots’ union and the UFO cabin crew union, is set to run from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. local time. The strike will affect all departures from German airports operated by Lufthansa’s core passenger brand as well as its cargo subsidiary, Lufthansa Cargo.

The VC union, which represents roughly 4,800 pilots, is demanding increased employer contributions to occupational pension schemes. Union members approved the strike mandate in a ballot held last autumn. Lufthansa management has pushed back against the demands, arguing that higher pension costs would add financial pressure at a time when the airline faces rising operating expenses and tighter profit margins.

In parallel, the UFO union has called what it describes as a “warning strike” as part of ongoing negotiations over collective labor agreements. The dispute concerns working conditions at Lufthansa’s mainline operations and its regional subsidiary, CityLine. Union representatives argue that the company’s current restructuring strategy could jeopardize around 800 jobs.

Lufthansa has expressed regret over the planned disruption and has urged passengers to check the status of their flights. The airline industry in Germany has faced repeated labor tensions in recent years, as unions seek improved pay, benefits and job security amid restructuring efforts and post-pandemic financial adjustments.

The strike is expected to impact domestic, European and long-haul routes, with ripple effects across major hubs such as Frankfurt and Munich.