Finance

Lufthansa faces potential strike after pilots vote for industrial action

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on September 30, 2025

2 min read

· Last updated: January 21, 2026

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Lufthansa faces potential strike after pilots vote for industrial action
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FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Lufthansa could face a strike at its main airline after pilots' union VC on Tuesday said its members voted in favour of a walkout in a dispute over pensions. The vote is the

Lufthansa faces potential strike after pilots vote for industrial action

FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Lufthansa could face a strike at its main airline after pilots' union VC on Tuesday said its members voted in favour of a walkout in a dispute over pensions.

The vote is the union's last attempt to escalate pressure on Lufthansa to agree to a better deal for pilots and comes only a day after the airline group held its capital markets day, presenting its plan to become more efficient.

The airline has pushed back on deeper pension changes and threatened to move more jobs to its cheaper subsidiaries, Discover and City Airlines.

VC, or Vereinigung Cockpit, said in a statement that a vast majority of members voted for a strike, but gave no timeline for the proposed industrial action.

Still, it opens the door to more costly and disruptive labour action for Lufthansa, which has already faced several labour challenges over recent years as it struggles to cut costs and pursue growth.

On Monday, it unveiled plans to cut 4,000 administrative jobs by 2030 and set higher profitability targets.

(Reporting by Ilona Wissenbach and Ludwig Burger, Writing by Joanna Plucinska, Editing by Friederike Heine, Kirsti Knolle and Louise Heavens)

Key Takeaways

  • Lufthansa pilots voted for a strike over pension disputes.
  • The union aims to pressure Lufthansa for a better deal.
  • Lufthansa plans to cut 4,000 jobs by 2030.
  • The airline faces ongoing labor challenges.
  • No timeline set for the potential strike.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the pilots' union VC announce?
The pilots' union VC announced that its members voted in favor of a strike over pensions.
What is the reason for the potential strike?
The potential strike is due to a dispute over pensions, with the union seeking a better deal for pilots.
What actions has Lufthansa threatened regarding jobs?
Lufthansa has threatened to move more jobs to its cheaper subsidiaries, Discover and City Airlines, in response to the union's demands.
What recent plans did Lufthansa unveil?
Lufthansa unveiled plans to cut 4,000 administrative jobs by 2030 while setting higher profitability targets.
What does the vote open the door to for Lufthansa?
The vote opens the door to more costly and disruptive labor action for Lufthansa, which has already faced several labor challenges.

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