flights cancelled as a two-day strike by Lufthansa pilots forces a major rethink of schedules this week, with plans for 600 cancellations across Europe and a special schedule set for publication today. Michael Niggemann, Member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG responsible for Human Resources and Legal Affairs, called the renewed strike call by the Vereinigung Cockpit union an escalation he finds incomprehensible. Lufthansa has launched an internal appeal to maintain a minimum number of services and says Discover Airlines and Lufthansa CityAirline will operate scheduled programs and take on additional flights where possible.
Flights Cancelled: Scope and Schedule
Company plans indicate up to 600 flights cancelled across Europe this week as the two-day strike by pilots unfolds. A special flight schedule is being drawn up for the strike period and is to be published today by 2: 00 p. m. ET at the latest. Lufthansa has launched an internal appeal intended to preserve a minimum level of operations despite strike action, and its statements note that Discover Airlines and Lufthansa CityAirline will fly their scheduled programs and accept additional flights where feasible.
The strike is expected to cause many cancellations on both strike days. Lufthansa said it limited the damage better than in a previous round of action, with more than 50% of scheduled flights still operating on the first of the two strike days, a development the airline highlighted when describing operational outcomes during the disruption.
Lufthansa’s Case and Executive Reaction
Michael Niggemann, Member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG responsible for Human Resources and Legal Affairs, said: “I regret the renewed strike call by the Vereinigung Cockpit union. This escalation is completely incomprehensible. Especially not at a time when we are experiencing a new level of geopolitical uncertainty with the war in Iran and passengers worldwide are affected. “
In his statement, Niggemann defended the company pension provision at Lufthansa Classic as offering very good retirement security and noted it had been improved over the past two years with a significant increase in pensionable remuneration for pilots. He said the low margin at Lufthansa Classic leaves no scope for further increases and that strikes will not change that position. Niggemann added that Lufthansa has offered pay increases to pilots at the subsidiary Lufthansa Cityline and described the union’s escalation as the wrong path.
Niggemann urged discussions about modernization and the future size of the fleet, saying those conversations would have a direct and immediate impact on pilots’ career prospects.
What Happens Next
The immediate next steps are procedural and time‑bound: the airline will publish the special flight schedule by 2: 00 p. m. ET today and is pursuing internal measures to sustain a minimum service level during the two-day action. Operational managers will monitor the situation across Europe as the strike continues and adjust deployments where Discover Airlines and Lufthansa CityAirline can add capacity.
On the industrial front, Lufthansa has framed the dispute around pension provisions, recent increases in pensionable pay, and limited margin at Lufthansa Classic, while offering pay moves at Lufthansa Cityline. The union’s call has already produced many flights cancelled and the company says further developments will hinge on negotiations about modernization and fleet size as well as the union’s next decisions.
Expect updated schedules and further operational notices after 2: 00 p. m. ET and watch for any statements from Vereinigung Cockpit or additional executive commentary from Deutsche Lufthansa AG as the strike enters its second day.
