In a disruption to air travel, Lufthansa, a major German airline, has cancelled about 900 flights. This decision affects over 200,000 passengers across Europe. The cancellations are due to a 35-hour strike by the airline's staff, starting from 8 pm tonight and ending at 7 a.m. on Wednesday.
Lufthansa Hit by Major Strike, Cancels 900 Flights
The strike, organized by the union Verdi, is primarily over pay disputes. The staff is demanding a 12.5 percent increase in wages, while Lufthansa has offered 10 percent. This disagreement has led to the strike, which is causing massive cancellations of Lufthansa flights.
According to The Sun, airports like Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne, Dusseldorf, and Stuttgart are experiencing the brunt of these disruptions. Lufthansa has informed passengers that only 10 to 20 percent of its flights will operate, especially on Feb. 20.
Passengers affected by the cancellations are being contacted through email or the Lufthansa app. The airline is advising travelers not to go to the airport unless their flight is confirmed to be on schedule. Due to the strike, there will be no staff at the rebooking counters.
This is not the first time Lufthansa has faced flight cancellations due to strikes. Earlier this month, 25,000 ground staff went on strike at several airports, leading to the cancellation of 80-90% of flights.
The airline has made arrangements for affected passengers. Those whose flights have been cancelled can rebook their flights free of charge. Additionally, domestic travelers in Germany can use their flight tickets to travel on Deutsche Bahn trains instead.
Lufthansa's strike is causing significant travel disruptions, not just in Germany, but across Europe. The airline is working to manage the situation and minimize the inconvenience to its passengers.
Lufthansa Flight Ends in Tragedy as Passenger Dies
A tragic incident occurred on a Lufthansa flight from Bangkok to Munich when a 63-year-old man died after coughing up a significant amount of blood. The flight, LH773, was forced to return to Bangkok just 90 minutes after takeoff.
The man, a German national, was already in poor health when he boarded the plane. Karin Missfelder, a nursing specialist, noticed his condition and alerted the crew. Despite this, the decision was made to proceed with the flight. The man's Filipina wife mentioned they had rushed to the plane, which may have contributed to his distress.
As per The Independent, during the flight, the man's condition worsened rapidly, with blood gushing from his mouth and nose. Flight attendants and a Polish doctor on board attempted to help, but their efforts were in vain. The passenger was pronounced dead on the flight, leading to the decision to return to Bangkok.
Passengers experienced a chaotic situation upon returning to the airport, with little support or information provided. The deceased's wife had to go through customs alone, adding to the distress of the situation.
Lufthansa confirmed the incident, stating that despite the immediate response and efforts of the crew and a doctor, the passenger could not be saved. The airline expressed condolences to the family and regret for the inconvenience caused to other passengers.
The decision to depart despite the man's evident health issues, and the lack of support for passengers afterward, has raised concerns about Lufthansa's handling of the situation.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
