BERLIN (Reuters) – Passengers at Germany’s two main airports, Berlin and Hamburg, faced unrest on Monday as security and ground service workers staged a one-day strike to protest their pay.
Berlin-Brandenburg Airport, which serves the capital, said all departures had been canceled and some landings would also be affected after the Verdi union called on security workers to strike until midnight (2200 GMT).
An airport spokesman said around 240 flights were scheduled to take off.
Staff from Hamburg’s Special Flight Handling Services (AHS), who handle check-in, boarding, loss and find procedures at a number of airlines including Lufthansa (LHAG.DE) at Hamburg Airport, are also called a 24-hour strike at Shortly.
The airport said that neither incoming flights nor those served by other airlines are expected to be affected.
AHS was scheduled to handle 84 of the 160 flights on Monday, and 31 had already been canceled by 9am (0700GMT).
Europe’s largest economy has seen some of the most disruptive strikes in decades as unions push for higher wages to offset the rising cost of living.
Last week, the airports of Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Cologne-Bonn and Stuttgart were hit by strikes.
ADV chief executive Ralph Bissell said unions are taking their prerogative to carry out pre-arbitration warning strikes to absurd lengths.
Written by Madeline Chambers. Editing by Susan Fenton
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