BERLIN, April 10 - Cabin personnel at Lufthansa and its regional arm Lufthansa CityLine carried out a day-long strike on Friday, organized by the union UFO, that interrupted travel across Germany. The action ran from midnight to 10 p.m. (2000 GMT) and affected operations at the group's main hubs as well as multiple other airports.
Airport operator Fraport reported that about 580 flights were canceled on Friday morning, affecting roughly 72,000 passengers out of some 1,350 scheduled flights and around 155,000 passengers expected at the airport for the day. Fraport noted that these figures refer to all airlines operating at the airport, not only Lufthansa, and said the situation could change as the day progressed.
The walkout touched both Frankfurt and Munich, Lufthansa’s primary hubs, while Lufthansa CityLine cabin crew participated in stoppages at nine airports. UFO negotiators said the escalation was inevitable given stalled talks, and Lufthansa brand chief Jens Ritter described the action as "completely disproportionate."
Contrasting outcome at Lufthansa City Airlines
In contrast to the disruptions caused by the UFO-organized strike, Lufthansa City Airlines - the group’s newest and smallest subsidiary - secured its first collective wage agreement. The deal, brokered by the rival union Verdi after marathon negotiations last week, covers 500 cockpit and cabin staff.
Under the agreement, basic salaries will rise by between 20% and 35% in three stages through March 2029. Verdi said the deal also includes additional days off, expanded vacation entitlements, improved roster planning and enhanced pension support.
Group restructuring and staff concerns
The differing outcomes between the two parts of the group reflect a wider restructuring inside the Lufthansa Group. Historically, short-haul feeder flights have been handled by CityLine, while the mainline carrier operates long-haul and primary European routes. The group has said it plans to close CityLine by year-end and transfer its feeder operations to City Airlines. City Airlines was founded in 2022 as a cost-efficient alternative amid competitive pressures in Europe’s aviation sector.
The closure plan has provoked anger among CityLine staff, who fear job losses and uncertain futures. The strike by CityLine and Lufthansa cabin crew and the separate wage settlement for City Airlines underscore the tensions arising as the group reshapes its operating structure.
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