German Airports: Ongoing Strikes And Travel Chaos

German airports have been impacted by strikes over the last few years, with the most recent wave of strikes occurring in 2024. In March 2024, strikes by train drivers and airport workers caused chaos for travellers and added to economic woes, with Frankfurt Airport, Germany's busiest hub, cancelling 650 of 1,750 planned flights. This followed a series of strikes in 2023, with the trade union Ver.di calling for multiple 24-hour strikes across German airports, impacting thousands of flights and passengers. While an agreement was reached in April 2024 to end the strike action, it is unclear if there is ongoing strike action at German airports.

German airport strikes in 2024

German airports have been affected by several strikes in 2024, causing flight cancellations and delays for travellers. The strikes have been led by labour unions, particularly Verdi, who are negotiating for higher wages for airport workers.

February 2024 Strikes

On 1 February, security staff at 11 German airports, including Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Hanover, Bremen, Leipzig, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Dresden, and Brandenburg walked off the job for 24 hours. This strike was called by the labour union Verdi, who demanded a pay rise of €2.80 per hour and more generous overtime for 25,000 workers. The strike grounded more than 1,100 flights and affected almost 200,000 travellers. Frankfurt Airport closed its security checkpoints, preventing passengers from boarding their flights. Berlin and Hamburg airports also confirmed that no flights would depart on the day of the strike.

March 2024 Strikes

On 17 February, strikes occurred at seven German airports: Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Dortmund, Hanover, and Bremen. This action was also called by the Verdi union, who represent ground service staff, public sector officials, and aviation security workers. Lufthansa warned that a large number of their flights would be affected. On 27 March, a 24-hour walkout was announced by the Ver.di and EVG unions, encompassing a wider range of transport workers, including railway workers. Lufthansa advised passengers against travelling to the airports during the strike.

Other Strikes

In addition to the major strikes in February and March, there were several other instances of industrial action by airport workers in Germany throughout 2024. In January, a series of strikes by transport workers affected German airports, with Lufthansa recommending that passengers avoid coming to the airport. In June, Lufthansa flight attendants launched a 24-hour strike, and in two instances in February and March, public-sector workers joined short-term warning strikes, demanding a 6.5% pay increase.

The Ver.di union's role in the strikes

The Ver.di union has played a significant role in the strikes affecting German airports. Ver.di, short for Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft, is a large trade union in Germany that represents various workers in the transport sector, including ground service staff, public sector officials, and aviation security workers.

In February 2023, Ver.di called for a 24-hour strike at seven major German airports: Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Dortmund, Hanover, and Bremen. This strike caused significant disruption, affecting nearly 300,000 passengers. The union was in the midst of negotiations regarding pay disputes, specifically seeking a 12.5% pay raise, or a monthly increase of at least 500 euros, as well as a one-time payment of 3,000 euros to offset inflation for airport workers. They also sought better collective agreements on overtime pay for security and service staff at commercial airports.

Ver.di continued to organise strikes throughout 2023 and 2024, often in conjunction with other unions. In March 2023, Ver.di and the EVG union, which covers railway workers, announced a 24-hour walkout due to ongoing wage discussions. This strike included ground and security workers at German airports and caused widespread disruptions, with Lufthansa cancelling hundreds of flights.

In July 2024, Ver.di called for strikes at three major airports: Düsseldorf, Cologne/Bonn, and Hamburg. These strikes were focused on workers in security areas and were part of negotiations with the Federal Association of Aviation Security Companies (BDLS) on time bonuses for night shifts, weekends, and work on public holidays.

The Ver.di union's actions have had a notable impact on German airports, causing flight cancellations, delays, and even partial shutdowns. Their demands centre on improving wages and working conditions for their members, arguing that inflation has made life difficult and that employers should compensate accordingly.

Lufthansa's response to the strikes

Lufthansa has been negatively impacted by strikes, with the company reporting an Adjusted EBIT loss of EUR 849 million in the first quarter of 2024, higher than expected and due in part to various strikes. Lufthansa has warned that ongoing strikes by thousands of its ground staff and airport workers could hurt its earnings, with walkouts already costing the company more than $100 million.

Lufthansa has had to cancel hundreds of flights due to strikes, with the company cancelling most of its domestic, European, and long-haul flights at six German airports due to strike action. The airline has also had to cancel about two-thirds of its flights on certain days. In March 2024, Lufthansa cancelled 800 flights globally due to a one-day strike by pilots, resulting in around 700 passengers being stranded at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Lufthansa has communicated the impact of the strikes to its partners, stating:

> "As the airports of Frankfurt and Munich are also affected, a large number of Lufthansa and Lufthansa Group flights are expected to be affected."

Lufthansa has also advised passengers against travelling to the airports during strike action, stating:

> "As this coincides with a public transport strike in Germany on Monday, March 27th, we will not be able to offer all passengers short-term solutions, and advise against traveling to the airports during the affected times."

Lufthansa has also stated that it is prepared to negotiate with unions, with Michael Niggemann, Lufthansa's head of human resources, saying:

> "The economic damage is already enormous, and all customers suffer from these strikes. [The company is] prepared to negotiate with Verdi at short notice, and that it had already made an offer in response to the union’s demands."

The impact on passengers

German airports have been hit by a wave of strikes, causing mass disruption for passengers. The strikes have resulted in the cancellation of thousands of flights and impacted hundreds of thousands of passengers.

On March 27, 2023, a 24-hour strike at ten German airports affected more than 3,700 flights and around 460,000 passengers. This was followed by another major strike on February 17, 2023, which impacted eight airports, causing the cancellation of over 2,300 flights and affecting approximately 300,000 passengers.

The strikes have been organised by the Ver.di union, which represents ground service staff, public sector officials, and aviation security workers. The union has been negotiating pay disputes and demanding higher wages for its members. The strikes have also been supported by the EVG union, which covers ground and security workers at German airports.

In addition to the direct impact on travellers, the strikes have also had a financial toll. The German economy has suffered due to the strikes, with a one-day nationwide rail strike costing around 100 million euros ($107 million) in economic output. The airline Lufthansa has also been affected, with strike action leading to a higher-than-expected operating loss in the first quarter of 2024.

The resolution of the strikes

German airports have been impacted by a series of strikes since 2022, with the most recent wave of strikes occurring in 2024. The strikes have resulted in mass flight disruptions and cancellations, affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers. The strikes have been initiated by various unions representing different groups of workers in the aviation industry, including ground service staff, security workers, and cabin crew.

The resolution of the German airport strikes involved negotiations between airport operators and the respective unions, with the goal of reaching an agreement on wage increases and improved working conditions for employees. Here is an overview of the resolution process:

• Recognition of the Issue: The first step towards resolving the strikes was acknowledging the underlying issues, primarily the ongoing wage negotiations and disputes over working conditions. Both airport operators and unions recognized the need to address these issues to avoid further disruptions.
• Mediation and Arbitration: In some cases, mediators were involved to facilitate negotiations between airport operators and unions. An arbitration process was launched, providing a structured framework for both parties to present their cases and work towards a resolution.
• Compromise and Agreement: Through negotiations, both sides worked towards finding a compromise that addressed the concerns of the employees while also considering the operational feasibility for airport operators. This involved discussions on specific points of contention, such as salary increases, bonuses, and overtime rates.
• Averting Further Strikes: Unions agreed to temporarily halt strike actions during the negotiation and arbitration processes. This provided a window of opportunity for both parties to work constructively towards a long-term solution without causing further travel disruptions.
• Implementation of Solutions: Once an agreement was reached, the proposed solutions were implemented by airport operators. This included adjusting wages, improving working conditions, and addressing any other issues that were part of the negotiated agreement.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Following the resolution, it is important for airport operators and unions to monitor the effectiveness of the implemented solutions. This includes evaluating employee satisfaction, assessing the impact on airport operations, and making any necessary adjustments to ensure the resolution is sustainable and fair for all parties involved.
• Ongoing Dialogue: To prevent future strikes, maintaining an open line of communication between airport operators, unions, and employees is crucial. Regular dialogue can help identify and address grievances before they escalate, fostering a collaborative environment that prioritizes the interests of all stakeholders.

By following these steps, German airport operators and unions worked together to resolve the strikes and improve the working conditions for employees in the aviation industry. This collaborative effort helped restore normal operations at airports, minimizing travel disruptions for passengers.

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