Airport strike halts flights out of Berlin

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No passenger flights will depart Berlin airport on Wednesday as staff stage a warning strike for higher wages.

On 18 March, no scheduled passenger flights will take off from Berlin Brandenburg airport.

Ver.di, a major German trade union, has called on employees of airport operator Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH (FBB) to take part in strike action.

The union said that the industrial action is a “direct consequence of the employers’ refusal to present a negotiable offer”.

According to the Official Website of Berlin, this will affect 445 departures and arrivals carrying approximately 57,000 passengers.

Around 2,000 staff will strike, including employees of the fire department, air traffic control and terminal management.

The airport said in a statement: “The airport operator has informed its partners, such as airlines, ground handling service providers, security companies and local businesses, of this.

“Please contact your airline or tour operator for information on rebooking and alternative travel options.”

Berlin Brandenburg airport is one of Germany’s major aviation hubs, serving more than 25 million annual passengers.

Last week, Lufthansa passengers in Germany faced major delays as pilots went on strike over an ongoing pension dispute.

The Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) union announced a 48-hour strike at short notice for all Lufthansa flights departing German airports on Thursday and Friday.

According to VC, industrial action followed “failed collective bargaining negotiations on remuneration issues at Lufthansa CityLine” and “the company pension scheme for pilots at Lufthansa”.

The airline said it planned to run “more than 50 per cent” of the originally planned flight programme across 12 and 13 March, operating up to 60 per cent of long-haul connections.

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