Berlin Airport Flights Halted by Warning Strike

All passenger flights at Berlin Brandenburg Airport were suspended on March 18 as approximately 2,000 employees participated in a full-day warning strike organized by the Ver.di trade union, canceling 445 scheduled departures and arrivals and stranding about 57,000 travelers.

The action, which ran from early morning until midnight, involved staff from critical areas including the fire department, air traffic control, and terminal management at Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH, the airport operator. Without these workers, flight operations could not proceed, leading to a complete halt in passenger services. Terminals remained largely empty, as airlines had notified passengers in advance, prompting many to avoid the airport. The operator informed airlines, ground handling providers, security firms, and local businesses of the disruption and urged affected travelers to contact their carriers or tour operators for rebooking or alternative arrangements.

The strike stems from stalled wage negotiations between Ver.di and the airport operator. The union is pushing for a 6 percent pay increase, arguing that the employer's latest proposal—a gradual rise of 1 to 1.5 percent annually...