The operations of various airports in Germany are closed for the entire day on Friday, February 17, 2023 due to industrial action by workers, which has already led to the cancellation of at least 1,300 flights — with possible delays of at least 15 additional flights — and thus directly affecting thousands of passengers.
Industrial Action in Germany February 17 2023: Travel Alert
This notice is currently displayed at the official Internet web site of Lufthansa at the time this article was written:
For Friday, 17 February, the German union ver.di has called for a one-day strike at various airports in Germany. Due to the closure of the airports in Frankfurt and Munich on this day, all Lufthansa flights that should have taken off or landed in Frankfurt and Munich on Friday have been canceled.
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, from, or within Germany on Friday, February 17, 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 Germany but you are traveling to or from other parts of Europe, your flight might be affected. 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 Germany for Friday, February 17, 2023; and Thursday, February 23, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Air Canada has issued a travel alert for Munich for Friday, February 17, 2023.
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has issued a travel alert for Germany for Friday, February 17, 2023; and Thursday, February 23, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
Final Boarding Call
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.
