Lufthansa impacted by second pilot strike
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Lufthansa has cancelled more than 200 flights today after a pilots union announced its second strike in seven days.
The German airline’s services have been impacted the most in Frankfurt on domestic and European routes, which have been cancelled.
The industrial action will take place from 17.00 to 23.00 German time although some services will be cancelled before so the airline can get back to normal quicker after the strike.
Similarly to the Germanwings strike last Friday the carrier only heard of the action the evening before.
Kay Kratky, member of the Lufthansa German Airlines Board with responsibility for operations and the Frankfurt hub said: “The renewed strike by the Vereinigung Cockpit pilots’ union is an imposition on our customers. The timing in particular is unacceptable, as the last weekend of the school holidays in Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland is the peak travel period for families. Commuters and business travellers will also face particular disruption on a Friday afternoon.
“Since the strike was announced after 5pm yesterday evening already, we have not been able to increase our Lufthansa Call Center capacity in good time. However, we will now do everything within our power to minimise the impact of the strike on our passengers.”
The VC union is striking due to changes in retirement plans and the transitional benefits of those that have worked with the airline since 1 January 2014. The airline hopes to finance the early retirement of active flight service in the long term under its proposals, while also making a gradual change of retirement entry age from 55 to 60.
Lufthansa has booked 2,200 hotel rooms in the Rhine-Main area and 500 field beds as a precautionary measure.
Staff at Frankfurt will be offering refreshments, snacks and phone services to help passengers, while 14,000 text messages have been sent to registered customers.
Tickets for domestic flights can be exchanged for train tickets, while a free rebooking or refund is in place for other flights.
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