Pilots’ union calls two-day strike at Lufthansa over pension dispute

Saturday 11 April 2026 - 16:30

The pilots’ union VC has called for a two-day strike at German airline Deutsche Lufthansa AG, escalating an ongoing dispute over pensions and working conditions.

The union announced on Saturday that pilots working for Lufthansa, Lufthansa Cargo, and Lufthansa CityLine are expected to walk out from April 13 at 00:01 CET until April 14 at 23:59 CET. According to the statement, flights to and from the Middle East will be excluded from the industrial action.

The dispute centers on pension arrangements, with the union arguing that management has failed to present an acceptable proposal despite ongoing negotiations.

Pilots at Lufthansa subsidiary Eurowings have also been called to strike for a full day on April 13, the union added.

The planned action is expected to cause significant disruptions across the airline’s European network, particularly at major hubs such as Frankfurt and Munich, although the full operational impact has yet to be confirmed.

The conflict highlights broader tensions within the aviation sector, where airlines continue to face pressure over staffing conditions, wages, and post-pandemic restructuring.