Lufthansa crew threaten to disrupt UK flights
Cabin crew at German carrier Lufthansa are threatening to stage flash strikes that could cause delays and cancellations for UK travellers.
The UFO union, which represents 1,800 Lufthansa crew, said they may strike at just a few hours’ notice after pay talks broke down. Union leader Nicoley Baublies said the first strike could come as early as today.
"We could hold the strike for five or six hours at a time at selected airports," he said.
Employees are pushing for a 5% pay rise following a three year pay freeze. The airline said it had offered a deal which equated to a rise of about 3.5%.
Lufthansa flies from 14 UK airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, London City and Belfast, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester.
It said it would give details of its contingency plans if and when strike times were confirmed.
Lufthansa has cut 3,500 jobs – reducing its global workforce by three percent and frozen investment to boost profits, which it said were being squeezed by rising fuel prices and competition from low-cost and Middle Eastern carriers.
Lufthansa has also shifted contracts of pilots and flight attendants at Austrian Airlines to a lower-cost subsidiary.
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent