Munich, Hamburg airports disrupted by two-day strike over wage dispute

Strikes by the public sector union Verdi have severely disrupted operations at Germany's Munich and Hamburg airports, leading to massive flight cancellations and widespread travel chaos.

The two-day walk-outs, which took place on Thursday and Friday, saw airlines canceling approximately 80% of flights at Munich, the country’s second-largest hub.

In an official statement posted on its website, Munich airport warned that even more flights could be canceled, urging passengers to check with their airlines for updates and alternative travel arrangements. Similarly, staff at Hamburg airport’s operator—as well as employees in key service areas such as maintenance, IT, security, and baggage handling—were reported to have joined the strike, halting operations entirely for the two-day period.

The strikes are part of a series of walk-outs staged by Verdi since wage negotiations began in January. The disruption has compounded with similar actions at airports in Düsseldorf and Cologne earlier this week. According to the German airport association ADV, nearly 300,000 passengers have been affected by the recent industrial actions.

“Two-day strikes that cut off German metropolitan regions from international air travel go far beyond what could qualify as token strikes,” the ADV said in a statement, emphasizing the significant impact on the nation’s travel network.

As the wage dispute continues, affected travelers are advised to stay in close contact with their airlines and monitor updates regarding flight schedules. The escalating industrial action underscores the ongoing tensions between airport staff and management over wage conditions, with further strikes a possibility if negotiations fail to yield a resolution.

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