Pilots at Germany’s flagship airline Lufthansa (LHA) have gone on strike, resulting in hundreds
of flights being cancelled, including to and from Canada.
The airline said it has cancelled 800 flights at its main hubs in Frankfurt and Munich, affecting
130,000 passengers.
Labour union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) called on more than 5,000 Lufthansa pilots to stage a
24-hour walkout, saying the latest round of wage negotiations with management ended without
a new contract being reached.
The pilot’s union is demanding a 5.5% pay raise this year and automatic wage increases tied to
the inflation rate going forward, as well as better pay for entry-level pilots.
Lufthansa has said the union’s demands would raise its staff costs by 40% over the next two
years.
The airline has offered a total of 900 Euros (Cdn $1,180.00) more in basic pay per month, which
it said would result in more than 18% higher pay for entry-level pilots and 5% more for senior
pilots.
The union’s demands come amid soaring energy and food prices, with Germany’s inflation rate
rising to its highest level in 50 years during August.
Last month, Lufthansa's management team reached a new contract with ground crews, averting
a strike by that employee group.
However, strikes and staff shortages have forced several European airlines, including
Lufthansa, to cancel thousands of flights this past summer.
Lufthansa’s stock is down 12% this year and trading at 5.91 Euros (Cdn $7.76) per share.
