Lufthansa Strike Grounds 800 Flights Amid Pension Dispute, Cost-Cutting

Lufthansa was forced to cancel nearly 800 flights across Germany on Thursday after a one-day strike by pilots and cabin crew brought major operations to a standstill, disrupting travel plans for roughly 100,000 passengers.

The walkout stems from escalating tensions over pension benefits and broader restructuring plans, marking the latest chapter in the airline’s struggle to balance labor demands with cost pressures.

Airports in Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg and Düsseldorf were among the most heavily affected, according to airport data. In contrast, most flights departing from Munich operated on schedule, offering limited relief to stranded travelers.

Lufthansa condemned the strike, describing its impact on passengers as disproportionate. The company confirmed that not only its core airline operations were affected, but also subsidiaries including Eurowings and Discover Airlines, as well as cargo services.

The airline said it was making every effort to minimize disruption, though cancellations and delays rippled across its network throughout the day.

The industrial action was called earlier in the week by pilot and cabin crew unions. Pilots are demanding improved retirement benefits, while cabin crew representatives are protesting plans to close the airline’s CityLine subsidiary and management’s refusal to negotiate a collective social plan.

Lufthansa announced last year that it would transfer CityLine’s operations and employees to a newly created subsidiary, arguing the move was necessary to cut costs and manage debt more effectively.

The strike unfolds against a backdrop of financial strain. Lufthansa’s profitability has lagged behind key European competitors in recent years. In September 2025, the airline disclosed plans to cut 4,000 jobs, approximately 4% of its workforce, as part of a broader restructuring effort.

The labor unrest highlights the tension between workforce protections and management’s push to streamline operations in an increasingly competitive European aviation market.

Lufthansa Group, Europe’s largest airline conglomerate, also includes Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines.