The operations of Berlin Brandenburg Airport are closed for the entire day on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 due to industrial action by ground workers, which has already led to the cancellation of at least 195 flights — with possible delays of at least 13 additional flights — and thus directly affecting thousands of passengers.
Berlin Brandenburg Airport Closed January 25 2023: Travel Alert
The following information is currently at the official Internet site of Berlin Brandenburg Airport:
No passenger traffic at BER on 25 January 2023 / No commercial flights possible on Wednesday due to the announced warning strike
As of 23.01.2023, 8 p.m.
Due to the announced warning strike at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, no passenger flights will be possible on Wednesday, 25 January 2023. The airport company officially informed its partners, such as the airlines, ground handling service providers, security companies and businesses located at the airport, about this in the evening.
Around 300 take-offs and landings with just under 35,000 passengers were originally planned for this day.
Affected passengers are asked to contact their airline for information on rebooking and alternative travel options.
The trade union ver.di has announced an all-day warning strike for 25 January.
This notice is currently displayed at the official Internet web site of Lufthansa at the time this article was written:
Due to a strike by the trade union ver.di, Berlin Airport is expected to be closed all day on 25 January. Lufthansa and all other Lufthansa Group Airlines will adjust their flight schedules accordingly
In the event of a cancellation, Lufthansa will rebook you free of charge and usually automatically to another flight and inform you via your mobile phone number. If you do not receive a message from Lufthansa, please check the current status of your booking. Here you can also adjust the rebooking if required. Alternatively, you can also use the Lufthansa Chatbot.
Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft is German for United Services Trade Union and is abbreviated as ver.di, as noted in the aforementioned message from Lufthansa.
Flight Waivers, Delays and Cancellations
If you are traveling to or from Berlin Brandenburg Airport on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, expect delays and cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to this industrial action which may adversely affect your travel plans. Even if you are not traveling to Berlin Airport but you are traveling to or from Germany, your flight might be affected, as trains are expected to be at full capacity and crowded with passengers. Better yet, postponing or canceling your trip might be a better option — no matter which mode of travel you plan on taking.
If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary.
In addition to Lufthansa, three other airlines have issued travel alerts as a result of this industrial action:
- Delta Air Lines has issued a travel alert for Berlin for Wednesday, January 25, 2023; and Monday, January 30, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- United Airlines has issued a travel alert for Berlin for Tuesday, January 24, 2023 through Wednesday, January 25, 2023; and Tuesday, January 31, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has issued a travel alert for Berlin for Wednesday, January 25, 2023; and Friday, January 27, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
Final Boarding Call
Do not let this industrial action take your breath away. Be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: travel safely.
Photograph ©2017 by Brian Cohen.
