Germany: Lufthansa cancels 800 flights tomorrow, due to pilot strike – Inconvenience for 130,000 passengers

The German airline Lufthansa announced today the annulment tomorrow friday “almost all” of its flights to and from its main airports Frankfurt and his Munich due to strike of pilots.

The largest European airline will cancel 800 flights tomorrow, September 2 due to the strike that was announced last night after negotiations for wage increases, according to a statement, which clarifies that “130,000 passengers are affected”.

The strike, which concerns Lufthansa companies and Lufthansa cargo, but not Eurowings, is expected to last from one minute after midnight (00:01) local time (01:00 tomorrow Friday, Greek time) until 23: 59 (00:59 on Saturday, Greek time).

“The new negotiations (…) failed” athe Vereinigung Cockpit union, which is demanding 5.5% wage increases, automatic inflation compensation and other adjustments, announced overnight.

Lufthansa announced that it “does not understand at all” the reasons for the strike action following a difficult summer for the aviation sector due to airport staff shortages and a strike by the company’s ground staff at the end of July, which also grounded hundreds of flights.

The group said it offered its pilots “to receive in two phases a total increase of 900 euros per month”. “Lufthansa must make a better offer,” said Marcel Grohls, a union official.

Lufthansa, as reported by APE-MPE, employs approximately 5,500 pilots in the transport of passengers and goods. The Vereinigung Cockpit is the only trade union that represents them.

A consultation on the principle of a strike at the end of July had given a majority of 98% in favor of pilot strike action in passenger transport and 99% in Cargo with a turnout of around 95%.

The group reached an agreement in early August with the Verdi union representing ground staff.

Employees will receive an increase of 200 euros per month and then an additional 2.5% in early 2023 and 2.5% in July 2023.