Airports and airlines warn of cancellations and disruption as German security staff walk out
Harry KembleTravellers flying to and from Germany’s main airports face widespread flight cancellations on Thursday (1 February) after the trade union representing airport security staff confirmed strike action.
Around 25,000 employees in the country’s aviation security sector will walk out at Frankfurt, Hamburg, Bremen, Berlin, Leipzig, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Hanover, Stuttgart and Dresden airports.
Frankfurt, which is a hub for long-haul connections via flights from the UK regions, said: “Transfer and connecting passengers should also expect strong disruptions and delays due to the strike.”
Three rounds of talks haven’t produced a settlement for the airport security workers. The Verdi trade union is seeking an increase of 2.80 euros per hour for all employees and has called for bonuses for overtime work to kick in from the first hour.
Lufthansa has posted an advisory on its website, warning passengers not to travel to the German airports due to closed security checks on Thursday.
“The trade union Verdi has announced strikes by security staff at several German airports on 1 February,” the carrier said.
“Passengers can therefore expect considerable restrictions at security checkpoints.”
The carrier urges affected passengers to rebook flights before 8 February.
Similar industrial action took place in March 2023, which shut down airports across Germany and disrupted air traffic.
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