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Germany braces for 'massive disruptions' due to strike at 7 airports

In this file photo, taken on November 8, 2021, an airplane is seen approaching the runway for landing at the Franz-Josef-Strauss Airport in Munich, southern Germany. (By AFP)

The operator of Germany's largest airport in Frankfurt has warned about a massive disruption to air traffic due to a planned one-day strike by ground staff and security crew, just as the country is prepared to host the 59th Munich Security Conference (MSC).

German trade union Verdi called on workers at Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart, Hamburg, Dortmund, Hanover, and Bremen airports to go on a 24-hour strike on Friday.

"There will therefore be massive disruptions to air traffic," the operator of Frankfurt airport said. "Passengers are strongly advised to refrain from travelling to the airport," it added.

According to Verdi, the strike is expected to affect domestic travel in particular.

Over 700 passenger flights will be cancelled at Munich airport — Germany's second biggest — as the city is prepared to host the security conference, which will bring hundreds of delegates to the city, including several global leaders.

The airport said special flights, including conference-related ones, would not be affected though.

An MSC spokesperson, however, said the walkout would have an effect on the conference schedule, adding that organizers were in close contact with all parties to minimize the impact.

Verdi is currently in negotiations for three groups of workers: ground service staff, public sector officials, and aviation security workers.

"There is still a catastrophic shortage of workers in ground services — this was clearly felt by travelers last summer," Verdi board member Christine Behle said in a statement.

The union staged a similar strike at Berlin Brandenburg airport last month, leading to the cancellation or rescheduling of around 300 flights.


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