Major European airline warns 90 per cent of flights set to be cancelled this week – find out if you’re affected
A MAJOR European airline has announced that it is expecting "extensive" problems with flights due to strikes this week.
As many as 25,000 ground staff are set to walk out at several airports, causing huge problems for the airline and its network.
Lufthansa has warned that 90 per cent of its passengers flying on Wednesday, February 7 could have their trips cancelled by the industrial action.
The problems are also set to go on into Thursday, February 8, with more than 100,000 people expected to be affected overall.
The airline's ground employees, represented by the Vereinigte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft (Ver.di) union, will stage the all-day walkout from 4am on February 7 until 7.10am on February 8.
Flights to and from several airports throughout Germany will be hampered, including Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Berlin and Dusseldorf.
Lufthansa flies to several UK airports, including London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted and London City.
Outside of the capital, it also has routes to Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Belfast.
Dublin and Cork are also served by the German carrier.
However, huge numbers of cancellations are expected this week, with the strike action being called after a breakdown in talks between the union and airline bosses over a wage dispute.
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The airline posted on X on Monday that only 10-20 per cent of flights will be able to take off on Wednesday.
They wrote: "There will be extensive restrictions to the flight schedule on 7-8.02.2024.
"We currently assume that around 10 to 20 per cent of the flights will be possible on February 7.
"Guests who are affected by flight cancellations will be informed by email or via the app."
Lufthansa also warned passengers not to come to the airport and to check their flight details or do any rebooking online.
They added: "Please only come to the airport if your flight has not been cancelled.
"Due to the strike, the rebooking desks are unfortunately not staffed. Thank you for your understanding in this situation."
Ver.di union negotiator Marvin Reschinsky said in a statement: "This strike would be unnecessary if Lufthansa were to grant ground employees the same increases as other employee groups in the group.
"However, there was no willingness to do this at the negotiating table."
The union has warned further strikes could take place in the future if a deal is not reached soon.
What to do if your flight is cancelled
If you're affected by a cancellation, you're entitled either to a refund or to be put on the next available flight.
It doesn't have to be with the same airline - they can arrange for you to fly with another carrier.
If the cancellation is the airline's fault and it is an EU-regulated carrier, passengers are also entitled to compensation.
However, it's up to passengers to chase that with the airline because compensation is not automatically paid out.
Delayed flights
Passengers are entitled to get compensation if their flight arrives more than 3 hours late and it's the airline’s fault.
Airlines are also required to provide food and drink and accommodation if the flight is delayed overnight.
The distance and the length of delay affects how much compensation a passenger is entitled to.
Read more on the Irish Sun
Flight delays and compensation
Delay to arrival Flight distance Compensation
3 hours or more less than 1,500km £220
3 hours or more 1,500km to 3,500km £350
4 hours or more more than 3,500km £520
Less than 4 hours more than 3,500km £260
Meanwhile, these are the five important things you should do if your flight has been cancelled.
And here's how much you could be owed for your cancelled or delayed travel.
