Strikes commence at 11 airports in Germany
Staff at 11 German airports to strike on March 10 – What travelers need to know
A major airport strike is set to take place across Germany, with around 23,000 employees at Berlin-Brandenburg, Bremen, Cologne/Bonn, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Leipzig-Halle, Munich, and Stuttgart airports walking off the job. As a result, all flights scheduled to depart or arrive at these 11 airports on March 10 will face severe disruptions or cancellations. The strike will conclude on March 11.
This widespread industrial action is part of an ongoing wave of strikes by Germany’s public sector workers in recent weeks. Employees from various sectors—including childcare centers, schools, waste management, water authorities, and theaters—are pushing for an 8% salary increase (or a minimum raise of €350 per month), as demanded by the trade union ver.di.
“We regret the inconvenience this strike will cause passengers,” ver.di representative Christine Behle stated in a press release. “However, without industrial action, there will be no progress in negotiations.”
Ver.di also emphasized that the strike was necessary due to the lack of offers from employers in the ongoing collective bargaining talks, adding that there has been no willingness to meet workers’ demands.
What should passengers do during the strike?
In Germany, airlines—not airports—are responsible for flight cancellations. Travelers scheduled to fly on March 10 should closely monitor updates from their airline regarding potential delays or cancellations.
Under EU regulations, passengers may be entitled to compensation depending on the length of a delay. If a flight is canceled, travelers have the right to a full refund or an alternative flight.