Lufthansa crews announce nationwide strike on Thursday
Employees of Germany’s flagship airline Lufthansa are set to strike for 24 hours on Thursday, the VC (Vereinigung Cockpit) union representing pilots and the UFO union representing flight attendants announced. The action is part of ongoing disputes over pension benefits and the planned closure of Lufthansa CityLine.
VC President أندرياس بينهيرو said staff “would have very much liked to avoid an escalation,” but noted that members had voted in September to authorize strike action to pressure Lufthansa for better pension arrangements. The union added that months of negotiations with the airline had failed to produce a solution.
UFO also called for its members at Lufthansa CityLine to participate in Thursday’s strike over the planned shutdown of operations and management’s refusal to negotiate a collective social plan. CityLine staff will be transferred to a new subsidiary, according to previous Lufthansa announcements.
Passengers flying with Lufthansa on Thursday should expect widespread disruptions and possible cancellations across Germany, including major hubs such as Frankfurt and Munich. Cargo flights are also expected to be affected, creating broader logistical challenges.
Lufthansa has said cost-cutting is essential after reporting a 20 percent drop in earnings in 2024, lagging behind European competitors. The airline has already planned to cut roughly 4,000 jobs, representing nearly four percent of its workforce, while also dealing with previous walkouts, delivery delays, and rising operating costs.