Due to a planned pilot strike, Lufthansa says it will cancel almost all passenger and cargo flights from its two largest hubs
BERLIN – Due to planned pilot strike action
Lufthansa says it will cancel almost all passenger and cargo flights from its two largest hubs, Frankfurt and Munich, on Friday
A union representing Lufthansa pilots announced early Thursday that they will strike after management rejected their demands for a pay increase
Lufthansa announced that 800 flights would be cancelled
This decision affecting many travellers returning from their summer vacation
The airline's low-cost subsidiary, would be unaffected
On Thursday, the union Vereinigung Cockpit accused Lufthansa of failing to improve on their previous offer
forcing pilots to go on strike to press their demands
According to Lufthansa, the company offered a one-time increase of 900 euros ($900)
It equated to a 5% increase for senior pilots and an 18% increase for those just starting out
The union had requested a 5.5% raise this year and an automatic increase above inflation in 2023
Pilots are seeking a new pay and holiday structure, which the airline claims will increase staffing costs by 40%, or 900 million euros over two years