Germany woke up on Sunday, 9 November 2025, to the most extensive transport stoppage this year. The Train Drivers’ Union (GDL) began a 24-hour walk-out at 02:00 that shut down around 80 percent of long-distance and inter-city services operated by Deutsche Bahn. Regional lines in Bremen, Lower Saxony and North-Rhine Westphalia were particularly hard-hit, leaving thousands of travellers and weekday commuters stranded at stations across the country.
At the same time, the cabin-crew union UFO launched a separate 48-hour strike at Lufthansa. Frankfurt Airport cancelled roughly 600 departures and arrivals on Sunday alone; Munich warned passengers to expect a similar wave of cancellations on Monday. The airline offered re-booking and rail vouchers, but many passengers faced 6- to 12-hour delays before alternative options became available.
![Nationwide Rail and Aviation Strikes Paralyse Germany on 9 November]()
Beyond the immediate inconvenience for tourists and leisure travellers, the twin strikes pose a serious challenge for Germany’s export-heavy economy. Automotive and chemical manufacturers rely on Deutsche Bahn’s freight arm, DB Cargo, to move parts and finished goods. Industry group VCI said the stoppage risked “tens of millions of euros” in losses if it continued into the new week. Messe Frankfurt, which is hosting two international trade fairs this week, warned of lower attendance by overseas buyers unable to reach the venue.
Both unions are demanding double-digit pay increases to offset inflation as well as reduced working hours. Earlier attempts by Deutsche Bahn to block the rail strike in labour court failed. Talks between Lufthansa and UFO are scheduled for 12 November, but GDL leader Mario Reiß said further ‘wave strikes’ were possible if no offer emerges. Corporate mobility managers have advised employees to switch to virtual meetings or postpone non-essential trips until mid-week.
For now, the strikes serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of Germany’s transport backbone at the very moment when the country is trying to market itself as a reliable destination for post-pandemic business travel and foreign investment.
At the same time, the cabin-crew union UFO launched a separate 48-hour strike at Lufthansa. Frankfurt Airport cancelled roughly 600 departures and arrivals on Sunday alone; Munich warned passengers to expect a similar wave of cancellations on Monday. The airline offered re-booking and rail vouchers, but many passengers faced 6- to 12-hour delays before alternative options became available.
Beyond the immediate inconvenience for tourists and leisure travellers, the twin strikes pose a serious challenge for Germany’s export-heavy economy. Automotive and chemical manufacturers rely on Deutsche Bahn’s freight arm, DB Cargo, to move parts and finished goods. Industry group VCI said the stoppage risked “tens of millions of euros” in losses if it continued into the new week. Messe Frankfurt, which is hosting two international trade fairs this week, warned of lower attendance by overseas buyers unable to reach the venue.
Both unions are demanding double-digit pay increases to offset inflation as well as reduced working hours. Earlier attempts by Deutsche Bahn to block the rail strike in labour court failed. Talks between Lufthansa and UFO are scheduled for 12 November, but GDL leader Mario Reiß said further ‘wave strikes’ were possible if no offer emerges. Corporate mobility managers have advised employees to switch to virtual meetings or postpone non-essential trips until mid-week.
For now, the strikes serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of Germany’s transport backbone at the very moment when the country is trying to market itself as a reliable destination for post-pandemic business travel and foreign investment.
