Lufthansa Cancels 1,000 Flights From Frankfurt and Munich Due to Strike

Lufthansa revealed in its latest press release that the airline is obliged to cancel nearly all of its flight programmes at its hubs in Frankfurt and Munich for July 27 as the warning strike announced by trade union ver.di is having a huge operational impact, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.

“The warning strike announced by trade union ver.di is having a massive operational impact in the middle of the peak travel season. Lufthansa will have to call off almost the entire flight program at its hubs in Frankfurt and Munich for Wednesday,” the statement of Lufthansa reads.

Lufthansa said that it is working flat out to return the flight operation to normal as soon as possible. However, it has been noted that the strike may lead to other individual flight cancellations.

It has been revealed that due to the strike, a total of 32 flights were cancelled yesterday, July 26, and 646 flights will have to be cancelled today, July 27, in Frankfurt.

As for the Munich hub, it has been announced that 15 flights were cancelled yesterday, and another 330 will have to be cancelled today.

Considering the high number of flights that will be cancelled today, it has been estimated that around 92,000 passengers will be affected at Frankfurt airport, and another 42,000 passengers will be affected at the Munich hub.

Lufthansa emphasised that passengers affected by cancellations will be informed immediately and will be rebooked on alternative flights if possible. Nonetheless, the capacities available are very limited.

Commenting on the matter, Chief Human Resources Officer and Labor Director of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Michael Niggemann, said that the strike is putting an additional strain on the employees as well as affecting passengers during the peak travel season.

“The early escalation of a previously constructive collective bargaining round is causing enormous damage. It affects our passengers in particular, who are impacted during the peak travel season,” Niggemann said.

In addition, Niggermann said that this so-called warning strike in the middle of the peak summer travel season is no longer proportionate as they have already offered a pay increase over the next 12 months of more than ten per cent more in the pay groups up to €3,000 monthly basic pay and a six per cent increase for a monthly basic pay of €6,500.

Among others, it said that the Group has also presented a package explaining the basic pay increase and basic monthly compensation within the next 12 months.