No Flights from Several German Airports on Thursday Due to Verdi Strike

Berlin Brandenburg airport is one of several German airports that will not operate any departures on Thursday, Feb. 1 because of strikes by Verdi, the union that represents security workers, among others, at the airport.

The airport said that arrivals, while not all canceled, could also be affected. All travelers, whether they are flying in or out of Brandenburg, are being told to check with their airline ahead of travel.

“Due to the warning strike called by the ver.di trade union for aviation security staff, no departures will be possible at BER on Thursday, 1 February 2024. Arriving flights may also be affected,” the airport said ahead of Thursday’s strikes.

“Passengers are asked to check the flight status with their airline for flights scheduled on 1 February 2024.”

Berlin, which operates about 170 outbound flights a day, is not the only German airport affected by the strikes.

Hamburg Airport has canceled all regular departures on Wednesday, Jan. 31, and Thursday, Feb. 1. Just like Brandenburg, Hamburg says that arrivals will still come in, but there may still be major delays and cancellations throughout the day.

Hamburg says that each day will see 120 or so departures canceled, impacting around 30,000 passengers.

Aside from those two, the Verdi strike is also expected to impact departures at Bremen, Hanover, Cologne, Leipzig, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, and more.  

Verdi, in its announcement, said that the union is still working on securing a contract for its members who work in passenger, cargo, and goods screening, despite three rounds of negotiation. Verdi is seeking a 2.80 euro per hour boost to its member’s compensation.

“Our goal is to sustainably compensate for the loss of purchasing power of employees. The work of the aviation security forces must remain financially attractive so that the urgently needed skilled workers can be recruited and retained. Therefore, the price increases of the last two years, especially those for food and energy, as well as the forecast price increase in 2024 must be offset and there must be a real wage increase,” Verdi negotiator Wolfgang Pieper said.