Hamburg Airport canceled nearly 300 flights on Sunday as ground staff launched a strike, marking the start of widespread industrial action across Germany.
According to airport authorities, only 10 flights were able to operate in the morning before services were disrupted. A total of 144 inbound and 139 outbound flights were canceled, impacting over 40,000 travelers.
The strike, led by the Verdi trade union representing ground services and public sector workers, is set to continue into Monday. It is expected to cause further disruptions, including delays in passenger security checks.
Verdi is demanding an 8% wage increase or a minimum raise of €350 ($380) per month, along with improved bonuses and additional leave days. Employers have rejected these demands, calling them excessively costly.
The union has intensified strike actions following multiple walkouts last month. A Verdi spokesperson in Hamburg stated that the last-minute decision was made to maximize the impact.
On Monday, major airports across Germany—including Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart, Cologne/Bonn, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Hanover, Bremen, Berlin, and Leipzig/Halle—are expected to be affected.
Munich Airport previously experienced severe disruptions in February when an earlier Verdi strike forced airlines to cancel nearly 80% of scheduled flights.
Since wage negotiations began in January, Verdi has organized a series of strikes, pressuring employers to meet their demands amid ongoing labor disputes.
Follow the latest news on Google News
