Over 1,000 Flights in Germany Axed as Lufthansa Ground Staff Strikes

Frankfurt — Frankfurt Airport, one of Europe's most important travel hubs, was in disarray on Wednesday after 725 of the day's 1,160 planned flights were scrapped due to a Lufthansa ground crew strike.

The German airline had put the number of flights cancelled at 646.

However, a number of other carriers rely on Lufthansa ground crew to assist with their flights, and are therefore also affected by the walk-out, a spokesperson for airport operator Fraport said.

Fraport said that Frankfurt's Terminal 1, which is predominantly used by Lufthansa, was quiet in the morning.

In the course of the day, queues started to form, mainly passengers from abroad hoping for connecting flights.

Lufthansa had asked people on Tuesday to contact the company for information on flights and not to travel to the airport. "Here at the airport, we are unfortunately barely able to offer any help at this time," a spokesperson at Frankfurt Airport had said.

Due to heavily booked flights during the busy summer travel season, it will also be difficult to find alternative travel arrangements. The company said that some passengers may have to wait for days for a connecting flight.

Other airports in Germany were also severely affected by the strike for better pay.

Lufthansa cancelled 330 flights from Munich, another major German hub. All in all, the number of its flights cancelled across the country was over 1,000, with 134,000 passengers estimated to be affected.

Verdi, one of Germany's largest unions, called on the approximately 20,000 ground staff employed by Lufthansa to stage a one-day strike on Wednesday to build up pressure in the ongoing pay negotiations.

A spokesperson for Lufthansa called the strike "unnecessary, overdone, and far too all-encompassing," also arguing that the company had put forward a substantial offer to employees.

Verdi, on the other hand, blamed Lufthansa for not agreeing to have another round of negotiations ahead of the strike date. "We are clearly expeting Lufthansa to add to its proposals next week, so that air traffic can flow again," said Verdi transport secretary Marvin Reschinsky.

Verdi has announced that there will be no more strikes before the next round of negotiations, which is due to take place on August 3.

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