On Monday, the overwhelming majority of buses, trains, and planes in Germany will be grounded due to public sector strike. The 24-hour strike started at midnight and is part of a long-running pay dispute.
A nationwide warning strike called by several trade unions formally began at midnight on Monday in Germany.
The strike preparations had already caused significant weekend transport disruptions.
On Monday, almost all planes, trains, and buses were expected to be grounded, with significant consequences for local public transportation in several big German states.
Increased traffic and delays on the transportation network were expected on Monday as well.
Unions in several transport sectors, including rail, local public transportation, and airport ground staff, are deadlocked in negotiations with public sector employers. And planned the walkout to coincide with the start of a third round of talks.
Almost all flights were grounded or postponed by a day, but Berlin’s BER was spared.
Except for BER Berlin Brandenburg Airport, the strike impacted every major German international airport. Approximately 400,000 passengers were expected to experience delays or cancellations across the country.
At the largest hub, Frankfurt, all incoming and outbound flights were canceled throughout Monday. Alternatively labeled as delayed by a full day in the case of some long-haul flights.
Meanwhile, Munich International Airport had already stopped flights on Sunday in anticipation of the strike and its consequences. All passenger planes were also cancelled on Monday.
The only airport not impacted by the strike was Berlin’s BER. Its web arrivals and departures boards appeared relatively normal early on Monday morning, with the exception of all routine domestic flights from other parts of Germany being struck through.
Commercial and passenger shipping will also be halted at several key harbours and ports as a result of the strikes.
Long-distance and regional trains, as well as local public transportation, are all impacted.
The German train network was also shut down.
Deutsche Bahn, the country’s national rail operator, took the unusual move last week of cancelling all long-distance rail services planned for Monday.
Deutsche Bahn frequently attempts to prioritise these routes, several of which cross international borders. Similar previous strikes in Germany had had a greater effect on local services.
