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Chaos for passengers to and from Germany as airport security staff strike

British Airways will be flying planes back empty from Frankfurt to London

 

Simon Calder
Travel Correspondent
Monday 14 January 2019 18:54 GMT
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Security scare: announcement from the trade union representing airport security staff
Security scare: announcement from the trade union representing airport security staff

Airline passengers flying to, through or from Germany on Tuesday 15 January face chaos as security staff strike at key airports.

In an unprecedented move, no passengers will be able to board flights at the nation’s main hub, Frankfurt, unless they arrive in transit.

Lufthansa, which is based in Frankfurt, said: “Due to a strike by the security staff at the airport, Lufthansa Group flights to and from Frankfurt will be considerably impaired.

“Security checks outside the transit area are not occupied. If you start your journey in Frankfurt, you will not be able to reach your flight during the entire strike period.

"Lufthansa therefore asks you not to go to the airport.”

The Ver.di union says the strikes follow four unsuccessful rounds of negotiations with the security provider, BDLS, over pay. The union is seeking a minimum hourly wage of €20.

The German airline has cancelled hundreds of flights ahead of the action, including links to and from Heathrow and Manchester. While much of the very profitable long-haul operation will still be operating, there are some long delays.

The Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Nairobi is showing as running 10 hours late.

The airports of Hannover, Bremen, Leipzig/Halle, Dresden, Erfurt and Hamburg will also be hit by the industrial action.

Lufthansa said: “Munich Airport is also affected by a strike, but this has only an indirect impact on passenger controls.

“However, cancellations and delays cannot be ruled out here either.”

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British Airways has cancelled three of its nine outbound departures from Heathrow and London City to Frankfurt, but all the inbound flights from the German city. Planes will fly back empty.

The airline said: “We are offering affected customers the option of rebooking or claiming a refund.”

Ryanair has cancelled its round-trip between Stansted and Frankfurt.

Negotiations are due to begin again on 23 January in Berlin.

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