Berlin: A nationwide strike by German airport workers on Monday is expected to disrupt air travel for more than 500,000 passengers, with over 3,400 flights canceled. The 24-hour walkout, organized by the trade union Verdi, affects employees in the public sector and ground handling services at major airports across the country.
The German airport operators’ association, ADV, described the strike as a major escalation following several smaller walkouts last month. “Germany’s air traffic will be largely shut down on Monday,” the ADV said in a statement, warning of severe disruptions to mobility and economic consequences. It further described the situation as a “horror scenario for affected passengers.”
More than half a million passengers will be affected and thousands of flights canceled due to a 24-hour strike at major German airports on March 10 https://t.co/y49qacclOC pic.twitter.com/DxbY5m65DQ
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 7, 2025
Frankfurt Airport, Germany’s busiest aviation hub, announced that departures would likely be halted, advising passengers against traveling to the airport. Transfer passengers were urged to check their flight status directly with airlines. Other affected airports include Munich, Stuttgart, Cologne/Bonn, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Hanover, Bremen, Hamburg, Berlin, and Leipzig-Halle.
Germany’s air traffic control operator, DFS, clarified that it would not be directly impacted by the strike.
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Verdi is pushing for an 8% wage increase or a minimum monthly raise of €350 ($380), along with higher bonuses and additional leave. The union said it had called for the strike after a second round of collective bargaining talks failed to yield results last month. Employers have rejected the demands, citing financial constraints.
Negotiations are set to resume later this month.
