Airport strike to all but freeze German air travel today
More than half a million people are facing travel disruption at German airports today where a 24-hour strike has led to thousands of flight cancellations in a dispute about workers’ pay.
The operator of Frankfurt airport, Germany’s busiest, said no passenger flights would depart from there today, with delays and cancellations also possible tomorrow.
Of the 1,116 incoming and outbound flights planned in Frankfurt today, 1,050 had already been cancelled with that number expected to rise, a spokesperson for Fraport said.
The strike, called by the Verdi union on Friday, impacts 13 airports across the country, including Munich, Berlin and Dusseldorf.
Workers at Hamburg airport brought their strike forward by one day, with nearly 300 flight cancellation there yesterday.
Verdi is demanding an 8% wage increase, or at least an increase of €350 more per month, as well as higher bonuses and additional time off.
Employers have rejected the demands as unaffordable.
Negotiations are due to continue later this month.
Article Source – Airport strike to all but freeze German air travel today – RTE
