Frankfurt airport, Europe’s third busiest hub, today warned passengers of severe delays and cancellations as workers on the airport tarmac prepared to stage a walkout over pay.
Fraport, the company which owns and operates Germany’s largest airport, warned on its Web site that a strike by the GdF union for air traffic workers, from 1400-2100 GMT “might lead to flight cancellations and disruptions“.
Fraport further advised passengers to contact their airline or tour operator before flying, but already numerous flights have already been cancelled, according to its Web site.
The GdF union estimated that around 400 flights — or 30-40 per cent of the total daily flights — would be affected today.
German carrier Lufthansa, which has its main hub in Frankfurt, said it would cancel as many as 100 flights taking off or landing here, also equivalent to around a third of its daily total.
According to the union, some 200 personnel, including workers in the actual air traffic control centre, as well as those working on the airport tarmac, will stop work today.