Germany’s major airports were thrown into chaos on Monday, March 10, as a 24-hour strike, called by the Ver.di trade union, grounded thousands of flights.
Over 3,400 flights were cancelled, leaving more than half a million passengers stranded.
The strike, which involves public sector workers and ground handling staff, has paralysed airports across the country. According to the German Airport Association (ADV), approximately 510,000 travelers will be impacted by the disruption. This action marks a major escalation following previous strike activities last month.
The airports affected include major hubs such as Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Dortmund, Hannover, Hamburg, Bremen, Leipzig, and the Cologne-Bonn airport.
Berlin Airport Shut Down
Berlin’s airport took the extreme measure of shutting down completely for the day, canceling all 246 scheduled flights. Other airports are attempting to accommodate stranded passengers, though the situation remains tense.
Surprise Strike in Hamburg
The chaos began on Sunday, March 9, when a surprise strike broke out at Hamburg Airport, catching both passengers and airlines off guard. Over 40,000 passengers were affected, adding to the tension before Monday’s nationwide disruption.
Protests for Wage Increases
The strikes come ahead of crucial collective bargaining talks for public sector wage increases, with protests planned at multiple airports. Workers are demanding higher wages, citing the growing pressures they face in their roles, and their calls are set to intensify with the start of the third round of negotiations in the coming days.
As the strike continues, airports across Germany are working to manage the chaos, but the situation remains fluid and challenging for travellers.