Germany faces travel chaos as strikes halt planes and trains

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) - Germany’s air and rail services were severely disrupted on Thursday due to simultaneous strikes by train drivers, airport workers, and ground service employees.

Frankfurt International Airport, the country’s busiest hub, was completely closed to departing passengers as security staff staged a walkout over an ongoing dispute over pay and working conditions.

German flag carrier Lufthansa also canceled hundreds of flights on Thursday due to a strike by its ground staff at the country’s major airports, including the Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich airports.

Lufthansa said it had to cancel around 80% of the flights scheduled for Thursday and Friday due to the two-day strike, and advised passengers to check the status of their flight online before traveling to the airport.

For many passengers, making alternative travel arrangements was not possible on Thursday as rail services were also severely disrupted due to a 35-hour strike by train drivers. It warned that its regional and suburban rail services will also be massively affected.

The strike of drivers on passenger trains began at 2 a.m. local time (0100GMT) and was set to last until 1 p.m. (1200GMT) Friday, according to the GDL union.

National rail operator Deutsche Bahn said it has initiated an emergency plan but almost 80% of the long-distance train services had to be canceled.

The GDL union and Deutsche Bahn have been negotiating for months to reach a new collective agreement.