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Lufthansa Cabin Crew Strike Scheduled for Friday
The cabin crew of Lufthansa is set to strike on Friday, beginning at 00:01 and continuing until 22:00. The strike has been called by the independent flight attendants’ union UFO, affecting all departures of Lufthansa’s core brand and its regional subsidiary CityLine. This labour action will impact Lufthansa flights departing from major hubs such as Frankfurt and Munich, as well as CityLine flights from airports in Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Bremen, Stuttgart, Köln, Düsseldorf, Berlin, and Hannover [Source 1][Source 5][Source 8].
Causes and Scope of the Strike
The strike emerges amid ongoing disputes over a new collective agreement, specifically related to the general terms of employment, or “Manteltarifvertrag,” for Lufthansa cabin staff. UFO accuses Lufthansa of failing to present a negotiable offer and highlights unresolved issues surrounding a social tariff agreement for CityLine, which is facing closure. Approximately 19,000 cabin crew members of Lufthansa and 800 employees of CityLine are involved, following a strong majority vote in favour of industrial action in late March [Source 5][Source 8].
Impact on Passengers Including Expats and International Travellers
The strike will likely cause widespread flight cancellations and disruptions across Lufthansa’s network on Friday. Expats, international students, and foreign workers relying on Lufthansa for travel should anticipate significant delays or cancellations, particularly if flying from or through Frankfurt or Munich airports. Flights operated by CityLine from other major German airports will also be affected, increasing the risk of travel interruptions nationwide [Source 1][Source 5][Source 8].
Passengers are advised to check flight statuses proactively and consider alternatives where possible. The ongoing conflict may add unexpected costs due to missed connections or the need for last-minute rebookings. Those with time-sensitive travel plans should monitor airline communications carefully and plan for potential contingencies.
Responses and Outlook
Lufthansa has criticised the strike as disproportionate and called on UFO to return to negotiations. However, the union insists the strike is necessary due to what it describes as the airline’s refusal to provide a viable negotiating offer. No further strike dates or resolutions have been announced at this stage. Travellers are encouraged to stay informed through official airline sources and verified news outlets for updates [Source 5].
