Getting around Germany has become a tightrope walk as unions push for better pay and working conditions, sometimes triggering strikes that ripple through airports, railways, and urban transit. Across the country, a minority of workers in key sectors presses for improvements, and their actions have a direct effect on everyday travel for residents and visitors alike.
This Thursday followed a six‑day national walkout by railway engineers, with security personnel at airports intensifying the disruption. With the exception of Munich and Nuremberg, both in Bavaria where a separate wage agreement governs, Friday is expected to bring further service suspensions in urban transport networks like the Metro and on buses. The call to participate came from the Verdi service sector union, which represents a broad swath of city workers and public service staff nationwide.
Meanwhile, Lufthansa, Germany’s flagship carrier, began rerouting operations and offering alternatives to its travelers on Wednesday. The airline urged passengers to monitor developments via official channels, including social media and email alerts, and advised that preparations should be made for possible changes, unless travelers are heading to Munich or Nuremberg, where local agreements may limit disruption.
Train as a practical substitute to air travel
In the domestic arena, trains are emerging as the main alternative for travelers who would otherwise fly. The machinists’ union, GDL, returned to negotiations with employers on Tuesday, signaling a possible de‑escalation as wage talks resume. The nationwide walkout by train crews has already translated into substantial economic losses, with estimates suggesting that disruptions reach roughly 100 million euros per day and reverberate through the supply chain, affecting the broader manufacturing and distribution sectors.
Security personnel across various hubs also joined the action, with thousands of workers stepping back from passenger and baggage screening duties. Verdi, the service sector federation, has framed the situation as critical, underscoring the essential role of frontline staff in keeping travel functioning and safe. Its president, Frank Werneke, has highlighted the urgency of fair compensation as a means to preserve reliable public services for all citizens.
On the bargaining table are demands for a wage increase of about 2.80 euros per hour, while employers have offered roughly 0.55 euros more per hour. This delta reflects the broader tension between wage growth and budgetary constraints facing public and private transport operators. The paralysis has been stark where ground staff are responsible for passenger flow and security checks, underscoring how tightly run the system is and how quickly services can stall without these roles in place.
From Frankfurt, the country’s busiest airport, the effects were visible but not universal. In Frankfurt, air traffic remained high, and Lufthansa continued to operate many long‑haul routes, yet the aggregate impact was notable: approximately 1,100 flight cancellations and around 200,000 affected passengers. The situation was more acute in some hubs, with Berlin experiencing a complete halt in flights, while other cities like Düsseldorf, Cologne, Hamburg, and Stuttgart saw partial disruptions that varied by hour and terminal.
Overall, the strikes highlight the delicate balance between keeping essential services running and recognizing the demands of workers who keep those services moving. Commuters and travelers are advised to verify schedules close to departure times, prepare for delays, and consider alternative travel plans when planning trips across Germany. As negotiations continue, the coming days will reveal whether a negotiated settlement or further industrial action will shape the pace of returns to normal operations.