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Flights halted at Berlin airport as strike grounds operations

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on March 18, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: April 1, 2026

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BERLIN, March 18 (Reuters) - Air traffic at Berlin's airport ground to a halt early on Wednesday after the Verdi service workers' union began a full-day strike in an ongoing pay dispute, affecting

Berlin Airport Operations Halted as Strike Grounds Flights Amid Pay Dispute

Berlin Airport Strike Disrupts Air Traffic and Passenger Plans

BERLIN, March 18 (Reuters) - Air traffic at Berlin's airport ground to a halt early on Wednesday after the Verdi service workers' union began a full-day strike in an ongoing pay dispute, affecting roughly 57,000 passengers.

Key Details of the Strike

  • Flight Cancellations and Passenger Impact

    • 445 departures and arrivals were scheduled for Wednesday.
    • Berlin Brandenburg Airport is one of Germany's major hubs, serving around 25 million passengers annually.

  • Union Demands and Negotiations

    • Verdi is negotiating for higher wages for some 2,000 employees, including staff in the fire department, air traffic control and terminal management.
    • The strike comes ahead of another round of negotiations scheduled for March 25.

  • Management Response

    • CEO's Statement
      • Berlin airport's CEO has called the strike "disproportionate" amid an already tense situation due to the Iran war.

Reporting and Editorial Credits

(Writing by Miranda Murray; Editing by Jamie Freed)

Key Takeaways

  • The strike grounded all departures and arrivals at BER for the day, impacting ~57,000 travelers across 445 flights.
  • Verdi is demanding higher pay for 2,000 staff in key operational roles; negotiations resume March 25.
  • This strike emerges amid broader labor tensions and heightened pressure on transport infrastructure due to the ongoing Iran war, which has already disrupted regional air travel.

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were flights halted at Berlin Brandenburg Airport on March 18?
Flights were halted due to a full-day strike by the Verdi service workers' union over an ongoing pay dispute.
How many passengers were affected by the Berlin airport strike?
Roughly 57,000 passengers were impacted by the strike on March 18.
What services were disrupted due to the strike at Berlin airport?
The strike disrupted operations involving fire department, air traffic control, and terminal management staff.
How many flights were scheduled to depart and arrive at Berlin Brandenburg Airport during the strike?
A total of 445 departures and arrivals were scheduled for Wednesday during the strike.
Who is negotiating for higher wages at Berlin Brandenburg Airport?
The Verdi service workers' union is negotiating for higher wages for about 2,000 employees at the airport.

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