Lufthansa pilots will launch a two-day strike beginning early Thursday, escalating a long-running dispute over pensions. The walkout, called by the VC pilots’ union, covers Lufthansa passenger and cargo flights departing German airports from 00:01 on March 12 until 23:59 on March 13.
The union said negotiations have stalled and that no improved offer has been presented. In a gesture reflecting concerns about the situation in the Middle East, flights to parts of the region — including Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Qatar and the UAE — will be exempt from the action “in light of the current situation.”
The industrial action follows previous stoppages that Lufthansa said had hit passengers “extremely harshly.” The carrier and the union have been at odds over proposed changes to pilots’ pension arrangements; the strike represents a further attempt by the pilots to press their demands amid protracted talks. Passengers with affected departures should expect cancellations or delays and monitor communications from the airline for rebooking and refund options.
