Strike Action Begins at 13 Airports Across Germany

Germany is facing significant disruptions in air travel as strike actions commenced at 13 airports nationwide. The labor union Verdi has initiated these strikes, which began at midnight and are set to last for 24 hours, affecting a wide range of airport services including ground handling and security operations.

The strike impacts major airports including Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin, with estimates indicating that over 3,400 flights could be canceled, leaving approximately 510,000 passengers unable to travel as planned. The German Airports Association (ADV) has reported that on a typical day, there are around 6,000 flight movements at German airports, supplemented by roughly 3,000 overflights.

At Frankfurt Airport, one of the busiest hubs, no passengers are permitted to board, and transit services are also expected to be heavily impacted. The airport operator, Fraport, has advised travelers against proceeding to the terminals. A limited emergency service will be maintained, but regular operations are suspended.

The labor union Verdi is advocating for an eight percent wage increase, with a minimum raise of 350 euros per month, along with three additional days off. So far, employers have not put forth a detailed proposal in response to these demands.

The strike action, which has broadened to include personnel from security sectors, was initially planned to be limited but has expanded due to ongoing negotiations for a new collective agreement with the Federal Association of Air Security Companies (BDLS). Upcoming negotiations are scheduled for late March.

The series of strikes also includes other public sector workers, with additional actions planned in various federal and municipal facilities. The next round of negotiations for public service workers is set for March 14 in Potsdam.

While the strike is aimed at drawing attention to the labor disputes within the aviation sector, criticisms have emerged regarding the scale of the actions. The head of the German Air Transport Association (BDL) has described the strikes as disproportionate, arguing that the complete shutdown of major transport services unfairly burdens passengers and sectors not directly involved in the negotiations.

As the strike unfolds, the impact is already being felt, with previous strike actions earlier in the week resulting in significant flight cancellations affecting hundreds of thousands of travelers.