Lufthansa pilots start 15-hour strike

In Germany, pilots with the country’s Lufthansa airline have started a 15-hour strike on long-haul flights, over an ongoing dispute regarding early retirement.

On Tuesday, the union representing Lufthansa pilots, Cockpit, called on its members to strike on long-haul flights departing from Frankfurt International Airport between 8:00 am and 11:00 pm (0600-2100 GMT).

The German airline has been forced to cancel at least half of its intercontinental flights.

“We feel compelled to take further industrial action as Lufthansa management has failed so far to table an offer worthy of compromise,” the union said.

“We remain open to a deal in order to avert strikes and we regret any inconvenience caused to customers,” Cockpit added.

Lufthansa said as many as 56 flights from Frankfurt could be affected as a result of the strike.

Lufthansa pilots have staged a number of strikes in recent months.

Pilots with Lufthansa can currently take paid early retirement from the age of 55. They are striking against plans by the airline to raise the minimum age to 60 and to also involve pilots in the financing of their pensions.

The industrial action is aimed at increasing pressure on Lufthansa in negotiations to keep the transition payment for those wanting to retire early.

SZH/HJL/HRB