Germany’s second-busiest hub, Munich Airport, has cancelled all regular flights scheduled for March 26 and 27, following strike action of transport workers in the country.
In a press release, the airport authority advises passengers affected by these cancellations to contact their airline and avoid travelling to the airport, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
“On Sunday, March 26 and Monday, March 27, 2023, there will be no regular passenger traffic at Munich Airport due to all-day strikes,” the airport authority said in a statement.
The strike follows the announcement of German trade unions for a national strike as transport workers are seeking better working conditions and higher wages. As part of the strike, public transport employees, as well as security and ground staff will stop working for 24 hours.
Moreover, the country’s biggest hub, Frankfurt Airport, revealed that the strike is expected to cause major disruptions on Monday and urged passengers not to travel to the airport.
“Operations at Frankfurt Airport will be heavily disrupted throughout the day on March 27. Passengers are strongly advised to refrain from travelling to the airport,” the operator said in a statement.
The union, speaking on behalf of 2.5 million public workers in the industry, is urging for a 10.5 per cent increase in wages, which can be no less than €500. A new round of negotiations is expected to take place next week, while so far the employers have offered a total of five per cent increases introduced in two stages plus one-time payments of €2,500.
In addition, EVG, representing many rail workers, is seeking a 12 per cent increase, while employers also offered a two-stage raise of a total of five per cent plus one-time payments.
This is set to be one the biggest strikes that Germany has seen in the last three decades, with many rail workers also walking out on Monday. German rail operator Deutsche Bahn has announced that no long-distance trains will be available for Monday, as employees from all areas have been called to walk out.
In addition to Frankfurt and Munich Airport, Stuttgart and Bremen airports have also cancelled all flights and Dusseldorf Airport has notified passengers to expect major disruptions and to have as little hand baggage as possible in order to help ease security delays.
The effects of the strike will be felt on Sunday and Tuesday too, as some operators are already cancelling flights and other services for that day.
