A major strike by Lufthansa’s ground staff disrupts flight schedules, heavily affecting hubs in Frankfurt and Munich. Swiss flights remain largely unaffected, ensuring minimal disruption for passengers traveling to and from Switzerland.

Amidst the turbulence caused by the Lufthansa ground staff strike, Swiss flights stand out for their stability, with operations proceeding as scheduled. The strike, which led to significant disruptions within Lufthansa’s network, particularly at the Frankfurt and Munich hubs, saw Swiss flights maintaining regular service, ensuring minimal impact on passengers traveling to and from Switzerland.

Swiss Air, a subsidiary of Lufthansa, confirmed its immunity to the strike’s effects, with a spokesperson stating that the airline’s flights would operate normally. This assurance comes despite the cancellation of 90 percent of Lufthansa’s departures at its major hubs and the resultant chaos affecting over 100,000 passengers globally. Lufthansa’s preemptive measures included:

• Advising passengers of canceled flights not to travel to the airport.
• Offering free rebooking options.
• Converting domestic flight tickets into rail vouchers for affected German travelers.

The strike, scheduled by the German trade union Verdi for 27 hours, is rooted in unresolved wage negotiations, with the union deeming Lufthansa’s offer as “completely inadequate.” The demands include a significant increase in the minimum salary, beyond the 200 euros per month currently on the table, and a call for a shorter duration of the collective agreement, reflecting the union’s stance on Lufthansa’s robust financial health.

In response, Lufthansa has highlighted its investment priorities, including acquiring new, more fuel-efficient aircraft, seat upgrades, and digital enhancements to improve travel experiences. The airline’s proposal of up to a 13 percent salary increase over the next three years is part of these negotiations, which Verdi has yet to accept.

©Keystone/SDA