Hundreds of flights were cancelled across Germany after pilots and cabin crew at German airline Lufthansa went on strike, causing major disruption at key airports, a development also widely reported by international media.

Lufthansa confirmed that it was forced to cancel a large number of flights on Thursday due to strike action by members of the Vereinigung Cockpit pilots’ union and the UFO cabin crew union, following failed negotiations over retirement benefits and working conditions.

According to estimates by the German Airports Association, the cancellations affected around 460 flights and disrupted travel plans for nearly 70,000 passengers. International reports noted that some assessments put the number of cancelled flights even higher, underlining the scale of the disruption.

Frankfurt Airport, Germany’s busiest hub, was among the most heavily affected. The airport’s website showed multiple cancellations, including flights to European destinations such as Barcelona and Belgrade, with knock-on effects at other major airports.

Lufthansa said affected passengers would be able to rebook their tickets or seek alternative arrangements, urging travelers to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport.

The strike highlights ongoing tensions between Lufthansa management and labor unions, as industrial action continues to impact Europe’s aviation sector amid disputes over pay, pensions, and working conditions. (ILKHA)