Strike at Berlin Airport: All flights canceled on Wednesday, affecting 57,000 passengers
All flights at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) will be canceled on Wednesday due to a full-day strike, affecting around 57,000 passengers and forcing travelers to seek alternative travel arrangements.
The strike, called by the Verdi union, will run from 5:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on March 18. Airport authorities confirmed that all 445 planned arrivals and departures will be canceled, bringing operations at the airport to a complete standstill.
Around 2,000 employees are expected to participate, including staff from fire services, air traffic control, and terminal operations. Airport CEO Aletta von Massenbach criticized the strike as disproportionate, especially given current global tensions linked to the Iran conflict.
Passengers impacted by the cancellations have been advised to contact their airlines or tour operators for rebooking and assistance. Airlines are responsible for notifying travelers, while package holiday providers must arrange alternatives for their customers.
The strike is part of an ongoing wage dispute. The airport operator offered gradual pay increases of one to 1.5 percent annually until 2028, but the Verdi union rejected the proposal, demanding a 6 percent increase, calling the offer inadequate amid rising living costs.