Almost 450 flights have been cancelled at Berlin Airport due to a strike
Today, 445 flights have been cancelled, disrupting the plans of around 57,000 passengers.
In a post on social media platform X, the German capital’s airport urged passengers to contact their airlines or tour operators to rebook flights or find alternative travel options.
What the strikers are demanding
The Verdi service sector trade union, in a statement, called on staff at Berlin-Brandenburg Airport – the German capital’s main airport – to hold a warning strike on 18 March 2026.
They cited “the employers’ intransigence in the current wage negotiations” as the reason for these actions – for the period 2026–2028, they are proposing to increase staff pay by an average of 1–1.5%, which does not keep pace with inflation.
“This is not a serious proposal, but a provocation at the negotiating table. Anyone who offers employees practically only a one-per-cent pay rise per year for several years, whilst the cost of living is rising, shows absolutely no appreciation for their work,” said Verdi negotiator Holger Ressler.
Furthermore, according to union members, employers have openly questioned the preferential terms for Verdi members and refused to renew the training agreement.
The next round of negotiations is scheduled for 25 March, and Verdi “expects a significantly improved offer from employers by then”.
Transport strikes in Germany
Last week, pilots at Germany’s largest airline, Lufthansa, announced a two-day strike. Hundreds of flights were cancelled, primarily at Germany’s main aviation hubs – Munich and Frankfurt am Main.
In general, transport strikes in Germany are quite a common occurrence – this is how they seek to renegotiate working conditions. Meanwhile, negotiations with employers can drag on for months, and it is the passengers who end up bearing the brunt of it.
