A sweeping strike by cabin crew has severely disrupted air travel across Germany, forcing the cancellation of nearly 90% of flights operated by key Lufthansa Group carriers, according to union officials.
The industrial action, called amid an ongoing dispute over working conditions, brought operations at Lufthansa’s core brand and its CityLine subsidiary close to a standstill on Friday. Union representatives described participation in the strike as “overwhelming,” with “almost all flights” affected.
Germany’s busiest airports bore the brunt of the disruption. At Frankfurt Airport, approximately 580 flights were canceled, while Munich Airport reported around 400 cancellations, including some from other airlines.
Lufthansa acknowledged the масштаб impact but stated that more than one-third of its total flights were still operating. This figure, however, includes services run by subsidiaries not affected by the strike, such as Austrian Airlines and Eurowings.
The airline added that it expects to resume near-normal operations by Saturday, although some delays and residual cancellations may persist.
The strike, Lufthansa’s fourth this year, comes during a critical travel period as the Easter holiday season draws to a close in much of Germany.
The cabin crew union cited a lack of progress in negotiations over key issues, including measures to reduce work fatigue, improved notice periods for contract terminations, and broader employment conditions.
Lufthansa, in response, urged union leaders to return to the negotiating table, emphasizing that “dialogue alone” can deliver sustainable solutions.
Friday’s disruption follows a series of disruptions that the company saw this year. In February, nearly 800 flights were canceled, affecting حوالي 100,000 passengers, during a separate strike linked to pension disputes. A subsequent two-day pilot strike the following month forced the cancellation of roughly half of the airline’s schedule.
The repeated labor actions have raised concerns about operational stability at one of Europe’s largest airline groups, as it navigates rising costs and increasing pressure to restructure.
For passengers, the latest strike underscores the fragility of travel plans amid ongoing labor tensions, leaving thousands stranded and forcing last-minute changes across Germany’s aviation network.
Source: DW
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