Flight disruptions to and from Frankfurt on 15 January 2019 due to a strike by security personnel at Frankfurt airport

The trade union ver.di has called for a comprehensive strike by security personnel at Frankfurt Airport on Tuesday, 15 January 2019, between 2 a.m. and 8 p.m. It is therefore to be expected that there will be a considerable impairment of flight operations to and from Frankfurt.

Important information for originating passengers departing from Frankfurt on 15 January 2019:
According to the airport operator, the security checks outside the transit area will remain closed during the strike, from the early morning hours until 8 p.m. Passengers who begin their journey in Frankfurt will not be able to reach their flight during the entire strike period. Lufthansa therefore asks passengers who wish to fly from Frankfurt on 15 January 2019 to avoid coming to the airport.

It is expected that transfer processes for connecting passengers in the transit area will still largely be possible. Nevertheless, also transfer passengers should expect disruptions and delays due to the strike.

The implementation of the necessary flight cancellations is scheduled for Sunday, 13 January 2019 during the afternoon. Customers affected by flight cancellations will be rebooked automatically as far as possible. You can make changes to the automated rebookings yourself using the standard INVOL rules.

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/refunds for cancelled flights on Lufthansa tickets yourself in accordance with the Lufthansa Standard INVOL rules.

Austrian Airlines INVOL rules apply to Austrian Airlines tickets and SWISS INVOL rules to SWISS tickets.

Please note: The Lufthansa Standard INVOL rules only apply to flights which have already been cancelled.

Passengers travelling within Germany whose Lufthansa flights have been cancelled can use Deutsche Bahn trains and issue their own rail voucher on lufthansa.com or at a Lufthansa airport check-in machine.

» To "Good for train – ICE Train Ticket"

Part 2 – Goodwill policy for rebooking/reissue of flights which are not cancelled – no refund permitted

Any passenger with a booked Austrian Airlines/Brussels Airlines/Eurowings/Lufthansa/SWISS flight on OS/LH/LX/SN document from/via Frankfurt (FRA) on 15 January 2019, whose flight is not cancelled and whose ticket was issued up to and including 11 January 2019, 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: OS, SN, EW, 4U, LH, LX, WK) – in the original booking class or alternatively within the same class of carriage.

  • New travel date between 11 and 20 January 2019

  • 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: TWP 1902

  • For refunds of tickets that are not affected by flight cancellations, the fare conditions apply.

For rebookings/reissues based on the above mentioned goodwill policy, an approval/waiver from your Lufthansa Group Sales Service Team is mandatory. For Austrian Airlines and SWISS rebookings based on the goodwill rule, please contact your Lufthansa Group Agency Support.

All Lufthansa passengers are requested to check the status of their flight at lufthansa.com before setting out on their journey.

» Flight status request for individual flights

In the event of cancellation, all Lufthansa passengers will be automatically rebooked on another flight free of charge and will be informed, provided that their contact data is stored in the PNR or in their Miles & More profile.

To find out more about the impact on flight operations of Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings and SWISS, kindly check the respective websites.

The Lufthansa Group airlines regret the inconveniences caused and will do their utmost to keep the effects of the strike to a minimum.

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.


11.01.2019 14:42  CET