Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) and Düsseldorf Airport (DUS), the largest airports in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, have been hit by 24-hour strikes launched by public sector employees.
The strikes are organized by workers at the United Services Union (ver.di), a German trade union based in Berlin. ver.di announced that security staff and ground services will join the strike.
The action is part of ongoing wage talks for public sector employees, Cologne Bonn Airport announced in a press release. The union has called for airport workers to stop working from the evening of February 23, 2025, until late on February 24, 2025.
At Cologne Bonn Airport, the strike started on the evening of February 23, 2025, while at Düsseldorf Airport, it began at 03:00 local time the following day.
The strike action will result in massive disruptions to flight operations and numerous flight cancellations at both airports. Airport officials also warned of possible further delays, cancellations or diversions.
During the strike, 75 scheduled passenger flights (46 takeoffs, 29 landings) are expected to be affected at Cologne Bonn Airport. Normally, 168 passenger flights (79 takeoffs, 89 landings) are scheduled during this time.
Meanwhile, Düsseldorf Airport also reported that around 30% of flights are expected to be canceled on February 24, 2025, due to the strike, but did not share more details.
According to local media sources, Munich Airport (MUC) will also see a 48-hour strike starting on February 27, 2025, and lasting until February 28, 2025.
