Strike announcement of the German Union ver.di at German Airports
The German Union ver.di has called for token strikes in the areas of ground handling, passenger checks and (partly) airport fire services at Bremen airport on Tuesday, 26 April 2016 and on Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf, Cologne/Bonn, Dortmund and Hanover airports on Wednesday, 27 April 2016.
As a result, there will be extensive cancellations of flights on Wednesday at Lufthansa’s Frankfurt and Munich hubs. Disruptions and delays must also be expected at all the airports involved.
Based on available information, Lufthansa has issued a special timetable Monday evening to provide booked travelers with as much of a planning foundation as possible for their Wednesday travel arrangements. Necessary flights cancellations have been effected.
► Continuously updated list of all cancelled Lufthansa flights
To find out more about the effects of the strike on flight operations of Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings and SWISS, kindly check the respective websites.
Due to the strike some passenger services may not be available at several airports in Germany, including Frankfurt Airport. Since this might include customer care services, it is recommendable for passengers with reduced mobility to reschedule their journey if possible. Customers not holding a valid visa for Germany might have to remain in the Transit area. Due to the expected situation, it is recommendable for passengers to reschedule their journey free of charge.
Part 1 – Lufthansa rules for rebooking/reissue/refund for cancelled flights
Customers affected by a flight cancellation can rebook once free of charge or have their ticket refunded. You are welcome to make rebookings/reissues for cancelled Lufthansa flights yourself in accordance with the Lufthansa Standard INVOL rules. You can make the refund on an involuntary basis directly in your GDS. In this case you do not need an approval/waiver from your Lufthansa Sales & Service Team.
Passengers travelling within Germany whose Lufthansa flights have been cancelled because of the strike can use Deutsche Bahn trains and issue their own rail voucher either under ‘My Bookings’ on LH.com or at a Lufthansa airport check-in machine.
Please note: The Lufthansa Standard INVOL rules only apply to flights which have already been cancelled. For all other flights, the goodwill rules apply (see Part 2).
All passengers are requested to check the status of their flight at LH.com before setting out on their journey. Due to expected delays in passenger handling all customers are requested to arrive early at the airport.
► Flight status
Lufthansa passengers who have saved their mobile phone number in their customer profile will be notified about relevant cancellations by text message.
Part 2 – Goodwill policy for rebooking/reissue of flights which are not cancelled
The following goodwill rule applies with immediate effect: Any passenger holding a Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, SWISS or Brussels Airlines Ticket with a booked LH/LX/OS/SN/4U/EW flight number from/to/via Frankfurt, Munich, Dusseldorf, Cologne/Bonn, Dortmund und Hannover on 27 April 2016, whose flight has not been cancelled and whose ticket was issued up to and including 25 April 2016, may rebook once free of charge.
The following rules apply to these rebookings:
- Rebooking on an alternative Lufthansa Group flight/connection (flight number and operated by: LH, LX, OS, SN, EW, 4U) – in the original booking class or alternatively within the same class of carriage. Please note: Lufthansa booking classes G/E/N must not be used for rebooking of Economy Class passengers since G/E/N are used for Lufthansa Premium Economy and consequently considered a different compartment.
- New travel date no later than 31 May 2016
- The change of origin/destination is not permitted. Exception: rebooking/reissue to an alternative nearby departure/destination airport within Germany, e.g. DUS instead of CGN, HAM instead of HAJ.
- In the case of reissues the endorsement entry should read: 0416
For Lufthansa tickets you can undertake the reissues yourself – a waiver by Lufthansa is not required for cases reissued in accordance with the stated rules.
For refunds of tickets that are not affected by flight cancellations, the fare conditions apply.
You will find general information on handling flight irregularities on OS documents here.
You will find general information on handling flight irregularities on LX documents here.
You will find general information on handling flight irregularities on SN documents here.
Lufthansa regrets the inconveniences caused by this strike announcement and will do its utmost to keep the effects of the strike to a minimum.
26.04.2016 07:03 CET
