HUNDREDS OF FLIGHTS CANCELLED DUE TO STRIKES
15.4.2026
HI!
Billy
Corresponding Head Reporter
Hundreds of flights have been cancelled across Germany after airport workers launched a nationwide strike over pay, causing widespread disruption for travellers.
The industrial action, organised by the Verdi union, began abruptly on Sunday at Hamburg Airport before rapidly expanding to major airports across the country.
Passengers travelling through key hubs including Frankfurt Airport, Munich Airport and Berlin Brandenburg Airport have been advised not to travel, as operations remain severely disrupted. Frankfurt Airport, the nation’s busiest, warned that departures are effectively halted and transfer services are “almost certainly” affected.
The strike is part of an ongoing dispute between Verdi and employers over wages and working conditions in the public sector and transport industries. German media reports suggest that thousands of flights could be cancelled, impacting more than 500,000 passengers in a single day.
The Lufthansa Group confirmed “delays and extensive cancellations” across its network, while Munich Airport announced a “greatly reduced flight schedule,” affecting airlines such as Eurowings, Austrian Airlines and Swiss International Air Lines.
At Hamburg Airport, all 143 scheduled departures on Monday were cancelled. Airport spokeswoman Katja Bromm criticised the union’s decision to initiate strike action without prior notice, describing it as “dishonourable” and “unfair to tens of thousands of travellers,” particularly at the start of the holiday season.
However, union representatives defended the move. Lars Stubbe, Verdi’s Hamburg representative, acknowledged the disruption but argued it was necessary to secure improved pay conditions. He stated that responsibility ultimately lies with employers for failing to present a viable offer during negotiations.
The strike highlights growing tensions in Germany’s transport sector, with further disruption possible if negotiations fail to progress.