On-going pilot dispute leads to more flight cancellations
Lufthansa has been forced to cancel flights after a pilot’s union called a 35-hour walkout starting this afternoon.
The German airline has already cancelled 250 flights today and 37 for tomorrow.
It said disruption is expected to short and medium haul flights today but that intercontinental flights would be affected tomorrow.
The strike is due to an ongoing dispute over retirement benefits.
Lufthansa pilots can currently take paid early retirement from the age of 55. They are fighting a plan by the airline to raise the minimum age and to involve pilots in the financing of their pensions.
Lufthansa said on its website: "During the strike period disruptions of Lufthansa short- and medium-haul flights are expected.
"For Tuesday, October 21, the strike has been extended to Lufthansa intercontinental flights as well. An updated flight schedule will be published here at around 13.00 CEST.
"Flights operated by the Lufthansa Group airlines Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Germanwings, SWISS and Air Dolomiti (operated by OS, SN, 4U, LX, EN) will not be affected and operate as scheduled."
The Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) union said in a statement: "Regrettably Lufthansa has not acted on the compromise proposals of VC after seven strikes now since April this year and is stonewalling."
Passengers, whose flights have been cancelled, can rebook free of charge to alternative flights.
However, the following conditions have to apply, tickets must be issued on/before 19.10.2014, new date of travel must be on/before January 31st, 2015, change of origin/destination and class of service/compartment is not permitted, all other ticket conditions must be observed as per original ticket.
Diane
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