28 July 2008

Strike threatens flights to Germany

Lufthansa is urging passengers to check its website, www.lufthansa.com, for details of flight departure times after admitting that an indefinite strike by maintenance, catering and cabin crew may cause some delays and cancellations.

It is also suggesting passengers turn up at the airport earlier than usual, although it said it was hopeful of maintaining a normal schedule.

The strike started at midnight but the airline claimed its first 600 scheduled flights this morning departed on time.

Lufthansa has about 70 flights a day from the UK and a London-based spokesman said those most likely to be affected were services to Frankfurt and Hamburg, where the strike has the biggest support among Lufthansa staff.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœIt would be unfair of us to say that everything will remain on track,Ã¢â¬~ said the spokesman. Ã¢â¬ÅâœIt seems that at the moment we are able to handle the situation, but there could be disruptions to flights and there might be cancellations.Ã¢â¬~

The union, Ver.di, which represents ground crews and service personal, said the strike affected 52,000 employees, but the airline claimed that so far fewer than 10% of that number had walked out.

The union is seeking a 9.8% pay rise and has rejected an offer of 6.7% spread through to February 2010 plus a one-time bonus payment.

By Linsey McNeill