Berlin airport cancels all flights amid strike

Berlin’s airport canceled all passenger flights on January 25 because of a strike organized by the Verdi union, severing the German capital from international air travel, Report informs referring to Bloomberg.

The dispute means that 300 takeoffs and landings won’t be possible, affecting about 35,000 passengers, according to a statement by the BER airport operator. Among the airport’s biggest airlines are discount specialist EasyJet Plc and Deutsche Lufthansa AG.

A spokesperson for Lufthansa said the airline was offering passengers rebooked flights on Thursday or train alternatives.

Labor union Verdi called the warning strike, citing dissatisfaction with proposals made in three rounds of collective bargaining negotiations by the airport’s management. It’s demanding an increase of €500 ($543) a month for ground services employees over a 12-month period as well as higher bonuses for air security personnel who work weekends and public holidays.