German public sector strikes spark chaos
A nationwide public sector walkout has kicked off in Germany, leading to major traffic disruptions and significant delays at major airports across the country. The action also affects local transport and kindergartens.
Hundreds of cancellations
German airline Lufthansa said it had to cancel more than half of its 1,600 scheduled flights on Tuesday as a result of the strike. Its budget subsidiary, Eurowings, was also affected.
Travel plans disrupted
An estimated 90,000 travelers are affected by the disruptions at several major airports, including Frankfurt and Munich. Passengers traveling within Germany were told they could exchange their flight for a train ticket, or change their flight time free of charge.
Grounded
Tuesday's walkout affects ground traffic personnel, customer support and some airport fire services across Germany. But the broader dispute over public sector pay also involves kindergartens, rubbish collection, utility companies and local transport.
Prepare to wait
A notice board warns passengers at Frankfurt airport — Germany's largest hub — to contact their airline for more information.
Pay dispute
Germany's Verdi labor union is demanding a 6 percent pay increase for the 2.3 million public sector workers it represents. It says wages have suffered, with airports in particular failing to pass on the profits from surging passenger numbers to staff. Here, union members block a bus depot in the western city of Essen
Bumper to bumper
Disruptions to local buses and trains in Cologne also led to traffic chaos on the roads, with commuters facing long delays on their way to work.