The transport strike suffered by Germany yesterday affected Spanish air connectivity, with dozens of canceled flights with origin or destination in the Germanic country. Much of the airports, bus and train stations across Germany were brought to a standstill due to the protest called by two of the largest public sector unions, Ver.di and EVG. The organizations have challenged Olaf Scholz’s Government to demand wage increases of between 10.5% and 12% to compensate for high inflation, of 7.9% on average in 2022 and 9, 3% in February.
It is the largest labor dispute in Germany for 30 years, although the 24-hour protest was peaceful. One of the consequences that caused the most inconvenience was the suspension of practically all air traffic. Its impact was felt across Europe, given that Germany is a major air hub, and came after several days of strike by French air traffic controllers, which have strained operations in Spain. Every time the French controllers protest, part of the flights that leave or arrive in Spain through its airspace suffer route or schedule alterations.
Now, with the Easter holidays approaching, flight cancellations are back. The German Airport Association ADV estimated that 380,000 passengers were affected by the suspension of journeys. In Frankfurt alone, one of the largest airports in Europe, almost 1,200 flights had to be cancelled. Munich airport paralyzed 1,500. In Spain, of the 191 flights with origin or destination Germany, 113 were cancelled, according to information from Aena.
At Barcelona airport, 33 flights out of the 41 planned with Germany were suspended, and Mallorca airport canceled 32 flights. As for the airlines, Iberia canceled about twenty flights with origin or destination Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg and Düsseldorf, and Vueling descheduled 18. Eurowings or Lufthansa also had to reduce the operation with Spain and leave passengers on the ground.
The airline industry is concerned that strikes will increase in Europe as major holiday periods approach. Last year there were days of real chaos in major European airports due to labor disputes and staffing problems after the pandemic stopped. And despite the fact that the lack of workers seems to have been resolved, the strike threats are re-emerging. The last one, that of the airport security staff.
