FRANKFURT, Germany — April 15, 2026
A strike by Lufthansa's cabin crew has grounded hundreds of flights for the third consecutive day, severely disrupting operations during the airline's 100th-anniversary celebrations.
The walkout, called by the Independent Flight Attendants Organization (UFO), has led to the cancellation of nearly all domestic flights from Frankfurt Airport and numerous international routes. Munich Airport alone saw 380 flights axed, most of them Lufthansa services. The labor action compounds earlier strikes by pilots this week and threatens to extend into the weekend.
Strike Details and Impact
The UFO union has called for a work stoppage at Lufthansa's two major German hubs, Frankfurt and Munich, until Thursday at 11:59 PM. The strike follows failed negotiations over a new collective agreement, with union representatives accusing management of failing to address their demands adequately.
The disruption comes at a symbolic moment for Lufthansa, which marked its centenary with planned celebrations attended by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU). However, the airline's savings measures—including strict controls on hiring and business travel—have fueled tensions with labor groups.
Pilots represented by the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) union had already staged strikes on Monday and Tuesday, and further walkouts are scheduled for Thursday and Friday. The overlapping labor actions have left passengers scrambling for alternatives, with long delays and cancellations rippling across Lufthansa's network.