A strike by security personnel has since been launched this Thursday morning in eleven airports in Germany by the Verdi services union.
In a context of inflation which is eating into employees' wallets, the union is demanding an immediate increase in wages of 2.80 euros per hour and bonuses for the 25,000 employees in the sector.
Claims which have, for the moment, been rejected by the Federal Association of Aviation Safety Companies (BDLS).
Even if negotiations are to continue in the coming days, this movement causes significant disruptions in the sky.
Frankfurt Airport shut down today.l due to security team striking.
That's fuckin great.
Hire private companies instead next time.
pic.twitter.com/M2Z5XcexcT
— Chigi DEBUT SOON 🥥🐶Capybara Vtuber🥥🐶 (@Chiguro_San) February 1, 2024
In Frankfurt (West), 310 flights were canceled out of a total of 1,120 planned takeoffs and landings.
Other cancellations could be announced during the day, according to a spokesperson for the operator of Germany's largest airport.
Furthermore, for connecting passengers, it is still possible to continue their journey but at the cost of prolonged waiting times, added the operator.
No departures are also possible on Thursday at Berlin-Brandenburg Airport, although around 170 takeoffs and landings with almost 50,000 passengers were planned for the day.
Other airports have also reported cancellations of departures due to lack of security screening personnel.
According to the union, this movement is very popular, reaching 100% at Cologne/Bonn airport.
This social movement illustrates the weakness that Germany is currently experiencing.
The country recorded a decline of 0.3% in its GDP in the fourth quarter of 2023, according to an estimate published on Tuesday.
The country is weighed down by the crisis in its powerful industrial sector, which represents around 20% of the wealth produced.