Germany Is Facing Travel Disruptions Due To Strikes by Transport Unions:
Lufthansa airline staff (including cabin crew and ground staff) and Deutsche Bahn train drivers are on strike demanding better wages and benefits in response to inflation. Around 100,000 travelers are likely to be affected by flight cancellations and delays.
Strikes are happening on:
- Tuesday, March 12th (all departures from Frankfurt Airport affected)
- Wednesday, March 13th (all departures from Munich Airport affected)
- This follows similar strikes last week that impacted around 200,000 passengers.
Why Drivers Are On Strike:
Germany’s train drivers are striking due to an ongoing dispute with Deutsche Bahn, the state-owned railway operator, over pay and working hours.
- Reduced Working Hours: The train drivers’ union, GDL, is pushing for a reduction in the workweek from 38 hours to 35 hours without a pay cut. Deutsche Bahn has so far offered a 37-hour week.
- Increased Wages: GDL is also demanding a raise in wages to keep up with inflation.
Negotiation Stalemate: Negotiations between the two parties haven’t been settled, leading to the strikes as a way for the union to put stress on Deutsche Bahn.
Lufthansa’s Cabin Crew:
Lufthansa’s cabin crew, represented by the union UFO, are walking out for similar reasons to the train drivers: wages and benefits.
- Pay Increase: The UFO union is calling for a 15% pay increase for Lufthansa cabin crew members. This is a significant raise, reflecting their desire to catch up with inflation and improve their overall standard of living.
- Inflation Compensation: In addition to the pay raise, UFO is demanding a one-time €3,000 inflation compensation payment for each cabin crew member. This directly addresses the rising cost of living in Germany.
Essentially, Lufthansa’s cabin crew feel they deserve better compensation due to inflation and the value they bring to the airline. The strike is a tactic used by the union to pressure Lufthansa into negotiations and hopefully secure an agreement that meets their demands.
In The Event Of A Lufthansa Strike, Is It Possible To Obtain A Refund For My Ticket?
Yes, you can get a refund on your Lufthansa flight ticket if it’s canceled due to the strike. Here’s what you should know based on EU regulations:
- EU Regulation 261/2004: This regulation applies to flights departing from an EU airport or arriving at an EU airport with an EU airline (which Lufthansa is). It grants passengers rights in case of flight disruptions.
- Cancellation Due to Strike: If your Lufthansa flight is canceled because of the strike, you are entitled to a full refund of the ticket price for the unused portion of the journey.
Here’s what you can do:
- Contact Lufthansa: Get in touch with Lufthansa customer service and inform them about your canceled flight due to the strike. You should request a full refund.
- Lufthansa’s Rebooking Policy: Lufthansa may also offer you the option to rebook your flight for a later date free of charge. However, if you don’t want to rebook and prefer a refund, you have the right to request it under EU regulations.
How can I determine if my Lufthansa flight has been canceled?
There are several ways to determine if your Lufthansa flight has been canceled due to the strike:
1. Check Lufthansa’s Website:
- Visit the Lufthansa website:
- Locate the “Flight Status” section on the homepage or under the “Travel Information” tab.
- Enter your flight details, including your flight number and departure date.
- The website will display the current status of your flight, including any cancellations or delays.
2. Use the Lufthansa Mobile App:
- Download the Lufthansa mobile app if you haven’t already (available for iOS and Android).
- Launch the app and log in to your Lufthansa account (if you have one).
- Navigate to the “My Bookings” section or a similar area where you can find your flight information.
- You should be able to see the status of your flight, including any cancellations.
3. Contact Lufthansa Customer Service:
- Call Lufthansa customer service and provide your flight details.
- A representative can confirm the status of your flight and answer any questions you may have.
- Here are the Lufthansa contact details:
- Phone: You can find the phone number specific to your region on Lufthansa’s website under “Contact.”
- Social Media: You can also try contacting Lufthansa via Twitter or Facebook Messenger.
