Lufthansa to Cancel Most Flights in Germany on Wednesday

Lufthansa announced it will have to suspend nearly all flights at its primary hubs in Frankfurt and Munich on Wednesday due to a strike by German ground staff, impacting tens of thousands of travelers amid ongoing travel disruptions in Europe.

The airline stated on Tuesday that the strike will result in the cancellation of 678 flights at Frankfurt, including 32 on Tuesday and the remainder on Wednesday. Additionally, 345 flights will be canceled at Munich, with 15 of those on Tuesday.

Lufthansa indicated that 92,000 passengers will be impacted by the cancellations in Frankfurt and 42,000 in Munich. Those affected will be notified on Tuesday and will be rebooked on alternate flights when possible, although they cautioned that 'available capacities are extremely limited.'

The airline noted that the strike could still result in 'individual flight cancellations or delays' on Thursday and Friday.

The ver.di union for service workers announced a one-day strike on Monday to intensify pressure on Lufthansa during pay negotiations for approximately 20,000 employees across its logistical, technical, and cargo divisions.

Lufthansa did not specify how many international flights to and from Germany would be impacted, but confirmed that nearly all flights to and from Frankfurt and Munich would be canceled.

For travelers with international flights to Germany, if their connecting flight from Frankfurt or Munich is canceled, Lufthansa advises rebooking for a different day.

'If you travel to Frankfurt or Munich without a confirmed onward flight, there’s a significant risk you could face delays of several hours or even days. If you can arrange alternative travel (like a rental car, bus, or train), keep all receipts for potential reimbursement. The same applies to hotel stays,' Lufthansa noted.

Passengers on a canceled domestic Lufthansa flight can exchange their ticket for a free rail ticket with Deutsche Bahn, according to the airline's policy.

The walkout occurs during a period when airports in Germany and across Europe are already experiencing disruptions and long queues at security checks due to staff shortages and rising travel demand.

As inflation rises, strikes for better pay by airport staff in France and Scandinavian Airlines pilots in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark have exacerbated the chaos for travelers, who are dealing with last-minute cancellations, long delays, lost luggage, and extended waits for bags at airports throughout Europe.

Travel has surged this summer following two years of COVID-19 restrictions, overwhelming airlines and airports that are understaffed after pandemic-era layoffs. Airports like London’s Heathrow and Amsterdam’s Schiphol have imposed limits on daily flights or passenger volumes.

The Lufthansa strike is scheduled to commence early Wednesday and conclude early Thursday. These 'warning strikes' are a typical strategy in German labor negotiations, usually lasting from several hours to a couple of days.

Ver.di is demanding a 9.5 percent pay increase this year and argues that Lufthansa's earlier offer, which involves a deal for an 18-month period, falls significantly short of its expectations.

Lufthansa’s chief personnel officer, Michael Niggemann, stated that 'this so-called warning strike during the peak summer travel season is simply disproportionate.'