Transport services in Germany are set to face major disruption later this week as Lufthansa and Deutsche Bahn staff are due to go on strike on the same days.
Both Verdi, the union which represents Lufthansa’s ground staff, and train drivers’ union GDL have called for their members to walk out on Thursday and Friday (7-8 March) in separate long-running pay disputes with the two transport companies.
Lufthansa warned that Verdi’s latest strike would lead to “extensive effects” on its flights from 8pm on Wednesday (6 March) until 7.10am on Saturday (9 March). Previous one-day strikes have led to the cancellation of up to 90 per cent of Lufthansa’s flights.
“Passengers who will be affected by an irregularity will receive information about cancellations and rebooking options by email or in the Lufthansa app,” said the airline in a statement.
Meanwhile, Deutsche Bahn said its long-distance, regional and S-Bahn services would be “massively affected nationwide” on 7-8 March as GDL members stage a 35-hour strike. DB added that it planned to operate a “basic service” on these strike days.
“We recommend reserving a seat on long-distance services. The basic offer is available via the timetable information on bahn.de and in the DB Navigator. DB asks travellers to check whether their connection is available 24 hours before departure,” added the train operator in a statement.
DB’s dispute with the GDL union has been escalating during 2024 with train drivers holding a strike lasting for nearly one week in January.