A sudden strike by airport workers led to the cancellation of nearly all flights at Hamburg Airport on Sunday, causing widespread disruption for passengers.
Airport officials confirmed that out of 144 scheduled arrivals and 139 planned departures, only 10 flights were able to operate. The strike, organized by the German trade union Verdi, is part of a series of warning strikes affecting nearly a dozen airports across the country as workers push for higher wages.
A spokeswoman for Hamburg Airport said the cancellations were unexpected and left travelers scrambling for alternative plans. “The majority of flights today have been affected by the strike, with only a handful of scheduled operations still taking place,” she said.
Verdi announced that additional walkouts will take place at multiple German airports on Monday as negotiations with employers continue. The union has been calling for higher wages and better working conditions for airport staff, including ground handling workers and security personnel.
The strikes come amid broader labor unrest in Germany, where workers across various industries have been staging protests to demand pay increases in response to inflation and rising living costs.
Passengers at Hamburg Airport were left frustrated by the disruption, with many expressing concerns over rebooking options and long delays. “We were given no warning, and now we have to find another way to get to our destination,” said one traveler.
The airport urged passengers to check with their airlines before heading to the airport, as further cancellations and delays are expected in the coming days. Meanwhile, Verdi has stated that it remains open to negotiations but is prepared to continue industrial action if an agreement is not reached.
German airport authorities and airline operators have criticized the strikes, warning that the disruptions will have significant economic consequences and impact thousands of travelers.
As the dispute escalates, travelers and airlines are bracing for further delays and cancellations at major German airports in the days ahead.
