Lufthansa Pilots Launch Fourth Strike This Year, Hundreds of Flights Cancelled Pilots at Germany’s flagship airline Lufthansa and its low-cost subsidiary Eurowings began a 48-hour strike on April 13, 2026, marking the fourth such action this year. The walkout, organized by the pilots’ union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC), led to widespread flight cancellations, disrupting travel for tens of thousands of passengers. Major hubs like Frankfurt and Munich were particularly affected, with hundreds of flights canceled or delayed. The strike also impacted Lufthansa Cargo and regional subsidiary Cityline, as pilots across the airline’s operations participated in the protest. The strike followed a week of similar actions by the UFO cabin crew union, which had previously called for a walkout. Lufthansa expressed frustration with the ongoing disputes, accusing the VC union of making unrealistic demands. The airline criticized the union’s push to double an already generous pension plan, calling it “absurd and unfulfillable.” Meanwhile, the union blamed Lufthansa for failing to negotiate in good faith, citing a lack of serious offers from the employer despite repeated attempts to resolve disputes. The strike’s impact was evident at Frankfurt Airport, Germany’s busiest, where the majority of Lufthansa departures within Europe were canceled. Passengers were advised to check with their providers for updates, as the airline attempted to mitigate disruptions by rerouting flights through partner airlines within the Lufthansa Group. Some domestic German flights were replaced with rail services, though the majority of cancellations occurred on Lufthansa-operated routes. Munich Airport, the second busiest in Germany, also warned of severe disruptions, urging passengers to contact their airlines for the latest information.#lufthansa #eurowings #vereinigung_cockpit #frankfurt_airport #munich_airport
Hundreds of Flights Cancelled as Lufthansa Pilots Go on Strike Again A pilots’ strike at Lufthansa and its low-cost subsidiary Eurowings led to hundreds of flight cancellations on April 13, 2026, disrupting travel for tens of thousands of passengers. The strike, organized by the pilots’ union Vereinigung Cockpit, targeted Lufthansa’s core brand, regional subsidiary Cityline, and affected operations at Germany’s largest airport, Frankfurt. The walkout, which spanned two days, intensified tensions between the airline and the union over a contentious pension scheme for pilots. The union demanded that Lufthansa significantly increase its contributions to the pension plan, arguing that current payouts were insufficient to ensure long-term financial security for its members. Lufthansa, however, has resisted these demands, leading to a breakdown in negotiations. The dispute has now escalated into a full-scale strike, with pilots refusing to work during the affected period. At Frankfurt Airport, the strike’s impact was immediate. Over 570 takeoffs and landings, primarily operated by Lufthansa, were cancelled, leaving more than 50,000 passengers stranded. The airport, which serves as a major hub for international travel, saw widespread disruptions as flights to and from Europe, North America, and Asia were suspended. Meanwhile, Munich Airport reported a combined 720 cancellations over the two-day period, with most affected flights being connections operated by Lufthansa. Lufthansa’s own data revealed that two-thirds of its short and medium-haul flights, along with half of its long-haul routes, were cancelled. The airline’s unaffected units, such as Discover and City Airlines, managed to operate some services, but the overall impact on its network was severe.#lufthansa #eurowings #vereinigung_cockpit #frankfurt_airport #munich_airport
