German air traffic grinds to halt as airport labour unions strike

Air traffic at Germany’s major airports ground to a near standstill on Monday after labor union Ver.di called on ground personnel, baggage handlers and security staff to go on strike.

The airport in Berlin, Germany’s capital, suspended its entire regular flight service, saying in a statement that all planned arrivals and departures are affected by the one-day protest. Frankfurt airport, the country’s largest, warned of “massive disruptions” throughout the day, saying that “operations cannot be fully guaranteed.”

In all, more than a dozen Germany airfields were hit by the strikes, which airport association ADV has estimated will result in more than 3,400 cancellations and more than half a million passengers missing their flights. 

“The strikes are cutting off an entire country from air traffic,” said Ralph Beisel, managing director of ADV. “We appeal to Ver.di to consider the interests of passengers and to seek an amicable solution at the negotiating table.” 

The union, which represents around 2 million workers, last week voiced support for the sweeping fiscal reform plans by Germany’s Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz, saying it would help modernize the country’s crumbling infrastructure. Europe’s biggest economy has earmarked debt-financed investments of €500 billion ($543 billion) over 10 years and plans to boost defense spending on a massive scale. 

The union’s demands include higher pay, more vacation days and restrictions on temporary contracts.

“With their warning strikes on Monday, the employees will show that they are serious about improving their working conditions,” Wolfgang Pieper, Ver.di’s chief negotiator, said in the statement over the weekend.