Massive cancellations at Lufthansa

COLOGNE, Germany – The warning strike which the Verdi union has called for Wednesday 27 April for personnel at Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf, Cologne/Bonn, Dortmund and Hanover airports affects airlines and their passengers in particular. Lufthansa is not involved in the public-sector labor dispute which is the reason for the strike. Nevertheless, the airline will be particularly affected by it. Tomorrow will see massive cancellations of German domestic flights at Lufthansa’s Frankfurt and Munich hubs. And all the further locations affected by the strike must expect disruptions and delays.

“It is unacceptable that the impact of this strike will especially affect our passengers,” says Dr. Bettina Volkens, Member of the Executive Board and Chief Officer Corporate Human Resources and Legal Affairs of Deutsche Lufthansa AG. “In these times of tough competition, Verdi will damage those airlines who offer their employees the highest social standards,” Volkens continues.

Lufthansa has had to cancel a total of 545 flights to and from Munich, where the strike will last all day. This affects some 54,000 passengers. To and from Frankfurt, where the strike is expected to last until 15:00, 350 Lufthansa flights with approximately 33,000 passengers will be cancelled. Altogether on 27 April, Lufthansa will only be able to carry out 40 percent of its regular flight program, i.e. 500 flights to and from Frankfurt and 90 flights to and from Munich. There will also be flight cancellations at Düsseldorf, Cologne/Bonn, Dortmund and Hanover airports as a result of the Verdi strike.

In order to give its customers the greatest possible planning security, Lufthansa published a special timetable yesterday (Monday) evening. Travelers with a booking for 27 April are urged to check the status of their flight on LH.com. In addition, Lufthansa has informed those travelers affected who have registered their contact details to receive news of any flight changes by email or text message. For the German domestic flights cancelled due to the strike, the passengers affected may use Deutsche Bahn trains to reach their destination. They will be able to exchange their air ticket for a Deutsche Bahn ticket on LH.com or at a check-in counter. Travelers who have booked a flight for 27 April to, from or via Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf, Cologne/Bonn, Dortmund or Hanover on any airline of the Lufthansa Group may rebook their ticket (once) free of charge, regardless of whether their flight has been affected by the Verdi strike action.

As a result of the Verdi strike, long delays and other inconveniences are possible at Frankfurt as well as at other German airports during the day. Customer services may also not be available to their usual extent. In view of these regrettable circumstances, Lufthansa advises travelers with reduced mobility to postpone their trip if possible and rebook their flight accordingly free of charge.