FRANKFURT – Germany’s flag-carrier Lufthansa faces its first coordinated walk-out of 2026 after both the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) pilots’ union and the Independent Flight Attendants’ Organisation (UFO) announced a 24-hour strike for Thursday, 12 February. The action, confirmed on 10 February, will ground “almost all” passenger and cargo departures from German airports, the company said.
VC is demanding higher employer contributions to pension and bridge-pension schemes, arguing that inflation and the carrier’s cost-cutting programme have eroded pilots’ retirement security. UFO wants a similar package for 19 000 cabin crew as well as a binding social-plan clause to protect 800 jobs threatened by the rapid expansion of lower-cost subsidiaries such as City Airlines and Discover.
Lufthansa has rejected the demands as “financially unsustainable,” pointing to thin profit margins and a still-fragile balance sheet after the pandemic. Management offered a 3.5 % wage increase plus one-off payments; unions are seeking 8 % and structural pension improvements. Talks collapsed late Monday night, triggering the strike notice.
![Lufthansa Pilots and Cabin Crew Call 24-Hour Strike for 12 February, Threatening Near-Total Shutdown of German Hubs]()
For international passengers who may now find themselves rerouted through unexpected hubs or extending stays in Germany, VisaHQ can quickly verify whether additional transit or entry documentation is required. Its portal (https://www.visahq.com/germany/) provides real-time visa checks and expedited processing, allowing travellers and corporate travel teams to adjust itineraries confidently amid the strike-related chaos.
Operational impact will be severe: internal forecasts seen by industry sources suggest up to 1 800 flight cancellations, affecting 220 000 passengers. Frankfurt and Munich hubs will run a “skeleton timetable” focusing on medical, diplomatic and time-critical freight. Business travellers are advised to switch to rail for domestic routes; Lufthansa has activated an automated re-booking waiver and lifted fare-difference rules for affected tickets.
Multinational employers with tight project deadlines should prepare for extended disruptions beyond Thursday: VC hinted at rolling strikes if no deal is reached, and UFO has scheduled a members’ ballot on escalated action. Travel-management teams are urged to update duty-of-care registers and monitor alternative routings via KLM, Air France and BA, many of which are already close to capacity ahead of the Berlinale film festival.
VC is demanding higher employer contributions to pension and bridge-pension schemes, arguing that inflation and the carrier’s cost-cutting programme have eroded pilots’ retirement security. UFO wants a similar package for 19 000 cabin crew as well as a binding social-plan clause to protect 800 jobs threatened by the rapid expansion of lower-cost subsidiaries such as City Airlines and Discover.
Lufthansa has rejected the demands as “financially unsustainable,” pointing to thin profit margins and a still-fragile balance sheet after the pandemic. Management offered a 3.5 % wage increase plus one-off payments; unions are seeking 8 % and structural pension improvements. Talks collapsed late Monday night, triggering the strike notice.
For international passengers who may now find themselves rerouted through unexpected hubs or extending stays in Germany, VisaHQ can quickly verify whether additional transit or entry documentation is required. Its portal (https://www.visahq.com/germany/) provides real-time visa checks and expedited processing, allowing travellers and corporate travel teams to adjust itineraries confidently amid the strike-related chaos.
Operational impact will be severe: internal forecasts seen by industry sources suggest up to 1 800 flight cancellations, affecting 220 000 passengers. Frankfurt and Munich hubs will run a “skeleton timetable” focusing on medical, diplomatic and time-critical freight. Business travellers are advised to switch to rail for domestic routes; Lufthansa has activated an automated re-booking waiver and lifted fare-difference rules for affected tickets.
Multinational employers with tight project deadlines should prepare for extended disruptions beyond Thursday: VC hinted at rolling strikes if no deal is reached, and UFO has scheduled a members’ ballot on escalated action. Travel-management teams are urged to update duty-of-care registers and monitor alternative routings via KLM, Air France and BA, many of which are already close to capacity ahead of the Berlinale film festival.
