Nationwide Strike Grounds Flights at 13 German Airports

A 24-hour strike organized by the Ver.di union at 13 major German airports, including Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin, has caused significant disruptions to air travel, with over 3,400 flights canceled and approximately 500,000 passengers affected. The strike, initiated unexpectedly at Hamburg Airport, escalated nationwide due to ongoing disputes over pay and working conditions, with Ver.di demanding an 8% wage increase and additional bonuses. Frankfurt Airport reported that nearly all of its 1,116 scheduled flights were canceled, while other airports like Berlin and Hamburg faced complete halts in operations. Union officials acknowledged the inconvenience caused to travelers but emphasized that the strike was necessary to pressure employers into negotiating a better offer. Employers have rejected the union's demands as unaffordable, with negotiations set to resume later this month. This industrial action has drawn criticism from airport operators, who argue it unfairly impacts travelers during a busy travel period.