Stuttgart, Dusseldorf, Cologne: Mass flight cancellations with disruption continuing tomorrow

Flights and trains across Germany have been cancelled as workers walkout in a pay and conditions dispute.

Hundreds of flights have been cancelled in Düsseldorf, Cologne/Bonn and Hamburg today, with disruption set to continue tomorrow.

The airport association ADV said that around 45,200 passengers at four German airports would be directly affected today and tomorrow, either due to flight cancellations or delays.

Germany's train strike: What to expect

The railway workers' union EVG announced the planned strikes yesterday, saying workers need higher salaries to combat price rises and high inflation. "We must increase the pressure on employers who think they can ignore their employees' demands," the union said in a statement, following a previous strike at the end of March.

The union is demanding a 12% increase over twelve months - or a minimum increase of €650 - rejecting the one-off inflation bonus proposed by employers. Although inflation slowed to 7.4% in March, far from the peak of 8.8% last October, it remains relatively high.

Friday's railway strike is due to last from 3am until 11am, across the country.

EVG represents employees from 50 companies, including the German state-owned railway operator Deutsche Bahn so disruption is expected nationwide.

Deutsche Bahn runs long distance trains, as well as S-Bahn services and regional trains in Germany. On Friday morning, all of these services will be cancelled, with services resuming early afternoon. Travellers and commuters should also expect a few backlogs afterwards.

In certain cases, passengers may be entitled to around €80 in compensation – whether for food, new tickets, or accommodation - from Deutsche Bahn. So make sure you keep receipts for any unexpected costs.

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Flights: Which airports in Germany will be impacted?

Hamburg airport has cancelled all departing flights from 10pm on Wednesday until 11pm on Friday. Flights may still end up arriving, although even some of these will be cancelled.

Cologne/Bonn has so far cancelled 121 flights.

Düsseldorf has not announced blanket cancellations, with a notice to passengers advising them to check with their airline or tour operator about the status of their flights.

Stuttgart airport has announced there will be no departures all day on Friday and has asked passengers not to come to the airport.

Passengers with a flight departing from or travelling to Cologne/Bonn, Stuttgart, or Düsseldorf are asked to check their flight status regularly. If their flight is going ahead, they’re asked to give themselves extra time as long delays are expected at security.

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Why have there been lots of strikes in Germany this year?

The work stoppage comes against a backdrop of strong social mobilisation in Germany, where strikes over wages have multiplied since the beginning of the year, from schools to hospitals, including the Post Office.

The last strike on 27 March paralysed the entire transport sector, including airports, for 24 hours, on the call of the EVG and the public services union, Verdi.

The union, which represents some 2.5 million employees, has also been engaging in tense negotiations with the state and municipalities for several weeks. These talks are due to resume on Saturday, aiming to reach a wage agreement.