Air travel in Germany has come to a standstill this weekend as a massive Lufthansa cabin crew strike has forced the cancellation of over 520 flights, stranding approximately 90,000 passengers at major German hubs.
The 24-hour walkout, organized by the UFO labour union, coincides with the post-Easter travel rush and has been sparked by stalled negotiations between the airline and its workforce.
While Lufthansa has managed to salvage about a third of its scheduled departures by utilizing larger aircraft and sister carriers, the industry group ADV warns that the disruption is extensive.
Union leader Joachim Vazquez Burger has placed the blame squarely on management, saying the airline failed to provide a fair deal after months of stalled negotiations.
The industrial action has indicated a deepening divide between Lufthansa and its workforce, with the airline's executive board member Michael Niggemann calling the escalation 'irresponsible'.
