Travel chaos in Germany as major airport workers go on strike

A one-day strike in Germany has caused severe disruptions to air travel, with 13 of the country’s key airports experiencing mass flight cancellations.

The 24-hour walkout, which began at midnight, has grounded hundreds of flights, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

The strike involves public-sector workers, including ground staff and security personnel, who are protesting over pay disputes.

Frankfurt Airport, one of Europe’s busiest hubs, saw nearly a total shutdown, with 1,054 of its 1,116 scheduled flights cancelled.

Other major airports such as Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg were also heavily affected, with no departures or arrivals at Berlin Airport and limited operations at Hamburg and Munich airports.

The affected airports also include Cologne/Bonn, Bremen, Hannover, Dortmund, Leipzig/Halle, and Stuttgart, as well as smaller airports like Weeze and Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden, where only security workers participated in the strike.

The walkout is a response to two ongoing pay disputes. One involves security workers at airports, and the other concerns federal and municipal government employees. Negotiations are set to resume on Friday for the government workers, while talks for airport security workers are scheduled for March 26.

The strike has caused significant delays and disruptions, with travellers being advised to check flight statuses and make alternative arrangements.

The disruption has affected not only passengers but also businesses relying on timely air transport across the country.