Lufthansa pilots’ union Vereinigung Cockpit has called a major strike today from 11.00 GMT until 22.00 tomorrow (October 21) affecting certain aircraft.

 

This is the second strike in so many weeks with pilots complaining about retirement benefits on this particular occasion. In a statement, the pilots union said that the strike will impact on both short and long-haul services involving A380, A340, A330 and B747.

 

Pilots say they regret ‘the inconvenience to passengers’, but want a new collective agreement for all employees in the cockpit. This ‘regret’ did not extend to giving their passengers most notice of this strike however, which is affecting several hundred services. It was only four days ago that Lufthansa’s sister airline Germanwings called a lightning strike.

 

This continuing industrial action is already negatively impacting on Frankfurt Airport and Gebr. Heinemann’s retail businesses, as well as retail business at most other German and international airport destinations served by Lufthansa. This has been compounded by the ongoing impact of Lufthansa’s cost-cutting programme, as Gebr. Heinemann Executive Director Raoul Spanger explained in a recent interview with TRBusiness: “Germany has been difficult because Air Berlin is struggling and Lufthansa is on a cost-cutting programme and we see the effect, especially in Frankfurt, on some flights to Asia. This is linked
to fierce competition from Etihad, Emirates and Turkish Airlines.”

 

Meanwhile, in a statement on the strike today, Lufthansa said: “The pilots union Vereinigung Cockpit has announced a strike for all Lufthansa flights operated by the aircraft types A320, Boeing 737, and Embraer departing between 13.00 CEST on October 20th to 23.59 CEST on October 21st.

 

MANY HUNDREDS OF FLIGHTS CANCELLED

“During the strike period disruptions of Lufthansa short – and medium – haul flights are expected. Lufthansa is currently working intensely on a special timetable for the strike period, which will be published as soon as possible. For Tuesday, October 21st, the strike has been extended to Lufthansa intercontinental flights as well.”

 

The airline added that all flights operated by the Lufthansa Group airlines Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Germanwings, SWISS and Air Dolomiti (operated by OS, SN, 4U, LX, EN) will not be affected.

 

Any readers hoping to take Lufthansa flights within Europe in the next two days should check here since hundreds of these services have been cancelled throughout Europe in particular: http://www.lufthansa.com/online/portal/lh/de/flight_services/cancelled_flights?nodeid=1410039030&l=en&cid=18002

 

TOP IMAGE: Going nowhere. [Photo credit: Lufthansa].