A massive strike by Germany’s Verdi union disrupted air travel across the country on Monday, halting thousands of flights and affecting around half a million passengers.
According to the AFP, the industrial action, led by public sector workers and ground handling staff, brought operations to a standstill at major airports, including Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, and Hamburg.
According to the German airport association approximately 3,400 flights were canceled, causing widespread disruptions.
Frankfurt Airport, the country’s busiest hub, confirmed that no passengers would be able to board flights, and transit travel would also be severely impacted.
The strike, organized by Verdi, was aimed at pressuring employers to offer better wages. Christine Behle, the union’s deputy chair, defended the walkout, stating, “We regret the inconvenience this will cause for passengers, but without the pressure of industrial action, negotiations will not progress.”
Verdi is demanding an eight percent salary increase or a minimum raise of 350 euros ($380) per month, along with additional bonuses for employees in high-stress roles.
The union criticized employers for failing to present a proposal during ongoing negotiations, arguing that the strike was necessary to push for fairer wages.
The impact was felt across Germany, with major airports in Bremen, Cologne, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Hanover, and Stuttgart also affected.
A display board at Berlin-Brandenburg Airport was filled with cancellations, reflecting the scale of the disruption.
