Airline forced to cancel 900 flights across Europe with thousands of passengers warned to ‘avoid the airport’
MORE than 200,000 passengers are to be hit by flight cancellations this week.
It's due to a 35-hour walkout starting from tonight at 8pm, lasting until 7am on Wednesday.
In response, Lufthansa has been forced to cancel as many as 90 per cent of its flights, in the latest round of cancellations for the German airline.
This has worked out to around 900 flights out of 1,000 flights cancelled, according to local media.
Airports including Frankfurt and Munich will be affected, as well as Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne, Dusseldorf and Stuttgart.
The airline warned: "Due to the strike, we currently assume that only around 10 per cent to 20 per cent of the Lufthansa Airline flight programme can be operated, particularly on February 20.
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“Passengers who are affected by flight cancellations because of the Verdi strike will be informed by email or via the Lufthansa app.
"We regret the inconvenience for our guests."
The airline also warned passengers to "only go to the airport if your flight has not been cancelled".
This is because the rebooking counters will have no staff on them.
Lufthansa flights from London Heathrow have been cancelled tomorrow, including:
- 9:30am London Heathrow to Frankfurt
- 10:30am London Heathrow to Frankfurt
- 11:30am London Heathrow to Frankfurt
- 1:30pm London Heathrow to Frankfurt
- 1:50pm London Heathrow to Munich
- 3:30pm London Heathrow to Frankfurt
- 4:30pm London Heathrow to Frankfurt
- 5:30pm London Heathrow to Frankfurt
- 5:50pm London Heathrow to Munich
- 6:30pm London Heathrow to Frankfurt
- 7:15pm London Heathrow to Munich
- 7:30pm London Heathrow to Frankfurt
Other UK airports have also been affected, with a 6pm flight from Manchester to Frankfurt cancelled today.
Birmingham Airport has also cancelled its 10:50pm flight to Frankfurt tonight as well as the 12:50pm Frankfurt flight tomorrow.
The strikes follow a dispute over pay, with union Verdi demanding a wage increase of 12.5 per cent after rejecting Lufthansa's offer of 10 per cent.
Lead union negotiator Marvin Reschinsky said: "We don't want this escalation.
"We want a speedy result for employees and passengers."
Anyone affected by the cancellations will have their flight rebooked free of charge, while domestic passengers can use their ticket on the Deutsche Bahn train free of charge.
It's not the first time this year Lufthansa has been forced to cancel flights due to strike action.
Earlier this month, 25,000 ground staff walked out at several airports, resulting in 80-90 per cent of Lufthansa flight cancellations.
Lufthansa operates at a number of UK airports, including London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted and London City.
Back in January, 45,000 passengers were affected when Spanish flag carrier Iberia was forced to cancel 461 flights due to strike action.
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Also in January, Finnair was forced to cancel 450 flights due to strikes, affecting 60,000 passengers.
Flight compensation rules
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you're flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven't used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn't have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of the "extraordinary circumstances" but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can't claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you're unlikely to be covered by your insurance.