Lufthansa cancels 'almost all' of its flights in Germany on Friday due to a strike

German airline Lufthansa announced on Thursday that it will cancel "

" of its flights from and to its main airports in Frankfurt and Munich on Friday due to a pilot strike.

The first European carrier will cancel 800 flights during the day of September 2 due to the social movement announced Wednesday evening against the backdrop of negotiations on wage increases, according to a press release, specifying that “

”.

The strike, which concerns the Lufthansa companies and the Lufthansa cargo branch but spares Eurowings, should last from 00:01 to 23:59.

“

”, announced on the night of Wednesday to Thursday the Vereinigung Cockpit union, which is demanding a 5.5% increase in wages, automatic compensation for inflation and adjustments of the fee schedule.

Another blow after the lack of staff

Lufthansa has expressed its "

" of the social movement, which comes after a difficult summer for the airline sector due to a shortage of staff at airports and a strike by the company's ground staff in late July , which also grounded hundreds of thefts.

The group says it has proposed that its pilots “

”.

"

," said union leader Marcel Gröls.

Read alsoLack of staff: Lufthansa cancels more than 3,000 flights this summer

Lufthansa has around 5,500 pilots in its passenger and freight transport activities.

Vereinigung Cockpit is the only union representing them.

A consultation on the principle of a strike at the end of July had given a majority of 98% in favor of the movement among passenger pilots and 99% at Cargo with a participation of approximately 95% of members.

The group reached an agreement in early August with the Verdi union, which represents ground staff.

Employees will receive an increase of 200 euros per month, then an additional 2.5% at the start of 2023 and another 2.5% in July 2023.