DUBAI: More than half a million travellers faced severe disruptions on Monday as strikes crippled air travel across Germany.
The Ver.di trade union organised a 24-hour walkout affecting ground staff, security personnel, and public sector workers at major airports, including Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin-Brandenburg, and Düsseldorf.
The widespread industrial action led to thousands of flight cancellations, including several services operated by Emirates Airline.
Emirates flights disrupted
Dubai-based Emirates Airlines confirmed that multiple flights to and from Frankfurt were cancelled. Emirates’ EK43 from Dubai to Frankfurt, EK44 from Frankfurt to Dubai, and EK46 from Frankfurt to Dubai were among the affected services.
Additionally, EK48 from Frankfurt faced significant delays and was rescheduled as EK8048, now departing on March 11 at 5:30PM local time and arriving in Dubai on March 12 at 3:00AM UAE time.
While some flights continued as scheduled, Emirates warned passengers of potential delays at other German airports, including Hamburg, Munich, and Düsseldorf. The airline advised affected travellers to check their updated itineraries via email and arrive at the airport at least three hours before departure.
Passengers holding tickets issued before March 8 were given the option to rebook for earlier travel or switch to alternative airports within the same region. Emirates also offered additional flexibility for those whose flights were impacted by the strike, urging them to check the airline’s flight status page for the latest updates.
Massive impact on air travel
According to Germany’s airport association (ADV), approximately 510,000 passengers faced delays or cancellations due to the strike. Frankfurt Airport, the busiest in Germany, reported that 1,054 of its 1,116 scheduled take-offs and landings had been cancelled. At Berlin Airport, regular departures and arrivals were completely halted, while Hamburg Airport confirmed that no flights would be departing.
Lufthansa, Germany’s flagship carrier, stated that "delays and extensive cancellations" were expected on all its flights to and from the affected airports. Other airlines, including Eurowings and Ryanair, also reported widespread service disruptions.
At Hamburg Airport, the strike began unexpectedly early, leaving many travellers stranded. According to German broadcaster NDR, passengers who had already checked in their luggage faced difficulties retrieving their belongings. Cologne/Bonn Airport confirmed that there was no regular passenger service available, while Munich Airport warned of a "greatly reduced flight schedule."
The reason behind the strike
The Ver.di trade union is demanding an 8 percent wage increase, or at least €350 more per month, in addition to higher bonuses and additional paid leave for public sector workers. The union argues that these increases are necessary to address the rising cost of living and improve working conditions. However, the federal government and local municipalities have rejected these demands, stating that they are not financially viable.
This strike is part of a broader wave of industrial action across Germany, with workers in multiple sectors, including healthcare, waste management, and childcare, joining similar protests. Hospitals, nursing homes, and kindergartens have also faced disruptions, further escalating public frustration.
A Ver.di spokesperson defended the strike, stating, "The walkout was necessary so that the impact of the strike could really be felt."
Meanwhile, Katja Bromm, a spokesperson for Hamburg Airport, criticised the move, calling it "excessive and unfair to tens of thousands of travellers who have nothing to do with the disputes."