Airports across Germany will face significant disruptions on Monday, March 10, due to a ground staff strike called by the ver.di union amid ongoing wage negotiations.
The strike will impact key airports, including Frankfurt, Berlin, Bremen, Cologne, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Leipzig, Munich, and Stuttgart, with work stoppages expected to begin between 2:00 and 3:00 AM.
Thousands of Workers to Participate in Strike
The ver.di union announced that the strike will involve public sector workers and approximately 23,000 employees from ground handling service companies, leading to widespread flight cancellations and delays.
"There will be massive restrictions on departures and arrivals, including flight cancellations," the union stated in a press release.
Airports Prepare for Severe Disruptions
At Frankfurt Airport, one of Europe’s busiest hubs, operator Fraport reported that 1,170 flights carrying approximately 150,000 passengers were scheduled for Monday. The company is working with other departments to prepare for the strike’s impact.
At Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), Aletta von Massenbach, Chair of the airport’s Board of Directors, confirmed that all scheduled flights for Monday will be canceled:
"We regret the cancellation of flights scheduled for Monday and apologize to all affected passengers. Due to the strike, flight operations at BER will unfortunately not take place on Monday."
Munich Airport reported that 820 regular flights were planned for Monday but expects most of them to be canceled by airlines.
Union Demands and Negotiation Deadlock
The union is demanding an 8% salary increase or at least €350 per month, plus additional bonuses for particularly demanding tasks.
According to ver.di Vice President Christine Behle:
"Without the pressure of strike action, negotiations will not move forward."
The strike comes amid ongoing talks with public sector employers, who, according to the union, have not yet presented a concrete offer or shown willingness to meet their demands. ver.di hopes the walkout will pressure employers into reaching an agreement while acknowledging the inconvenience caused to passengers.
What Can Passengers Do?
Affected travelers are protected under EU Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004, which grants passengers certain rights in cases of flight disruptions within the European Union.
Passengers have the following options:
✔ Ticket Refund – Travelers who choose not to fly can request a full refund, including for multi-flight itineraries, where reimbursement applies to unused segments.
✔ Rebooking or Alternative Transportation – Passengers can opt for a replacement flight as soon as possible or reschedule for a later date. If no flights are available, airlines may be required to offer alternative transport, such as a train or bus.
✔ Compensation and Assistance – If the wait is prolonged, passengers may be entitled to:
- Meals and refreshments
- Two free phone calls, emails, or faxes
- Hotel accommodation (if an overnight stay is required)
- Free airport transfers
Passengers should contact their airline directly to request refunds, rebookings, or compensation and check each carrier’s specific policies for managing disruptions.
AUTOR
Contando la aviación desde marzo del año 2000. Fundador y Managing Editor de Aviacionline.
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