Pilots of Germany's largest airline, Lufthansa, have launched a new wave of strikes that could lead to hundreds of canceled flights. Most changes are expected in the country's main aviation hubs, Frankfurt and Munich. Read more about how the strike will affect passengers and which routes may be affected

On the morning of March 12, 2026, the pilots of the German airline Lufthansa began a two-day strike that could significantly affect flight schedules in Europe. The Vereinigung Cockpit organized the protest, a trade union representing pilots and demanding a review of their pay and pension conditions.

Hundreds of flights are expected to be canceled due to the strike, primarily in the largest German aviation hubs. At the same time, the company claims that a significant number of flights will still be able to be operated due to changes in the schedule and the use of additional resources.

In our previous article, we told you whether it is safe to travel to Cyprus, Egypt, and the Middle East.

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How will the Lufthansa strike affect passengers?

The new wave of Lufthansa pilots' strike is already leading to changes in the flight schedule of Germany's largest airline. Most disruptions are expected in the country's key aviation hubs - Frankfurt and Munich, where a significant number of international and transit flights are operated. It is here that passengers may face massive flight cancellations or postponements.

According to preliminary estimates, about 300 flights a day may be canceled during the two-day strike. At the same time, Lufthansa says a significant number of flights will still be able to operate; the company expects to keep about half of its scheduled flights on both days of the strike.

Passengers on long-haul routes may feel the most restrictions. The carrier estimates that up to 60% of flights on such routes may be canceled because they require more crews and aircraft.

To reduce the number of cancellations, Lufthansa plans to implement several temporary solutions:

1. Use larger aircraft to carry more passengers on one flight;

2. Transfer some routes to other Lufthansa airlines that are not involved in the strike;

3. Involve volunteer crews willing to work during the protest.

The company also said that passengers whose flights will be canceled will be informed by email. If no notification is received, it may mean that the flight is still on schedule.

Earlier, we told you that airfares to Asia have risen sharply due to the war between the United States and Israel against Iran.

Why did Lufthansa pilots go on strike?

The current strike is the next stage in the conflict between Lufthansa's management and the pilots' union Vereinigung Cockpit. Representatives of the union are demanding a review of working conditions, including higher wages and changes to the pension system for pilots.

According to the union's leader Andreas Pinheiro, the current protest is part of a strategy to put pressure on the company during negotiations. At the same time, he emphasized that the strike this time would be smaller than the previous one that took place earlier this year.

For comparison, during the previous wave of strikes on February 12, about 800 flights were canceled, which is more than twice the current expected number. At that time, the UFO flight attendants' union also joined the protests, which significantly increased the impact of the strike on air travel.

Despite the current disruptions, Lufthansa notes that the strike should not affect flights to the Middle East. These routes are already operating in difficult conditions due to the tense situation in the region, so the company is trying to keep them on schedule.

In a previous article, we reported that Wizz Air was canceling flights to Israel, the UAE, and Jordan until March 15.

What should passengers do if a Lufthansa flight is canceled?

Due to the pilots' strike, some Lufthansa flights may be canceled or postponed, so passengers are advised to check their flight status regularly. The airline informs that customers whose flights are canceled will be promptly informed by email with further instructions on how to rebook or refund.

If no notification is received from the carrier, it means that the flight is still on the schedule and should be operated as planned. At the same time, passengers are advised to arrive at the airport a little earlier and check the information on the airline's official website or mobile app.

In the event of a flight cancellation, passengers usually have several options:

1. Rebook a ticket for another flight for free;

2. Choose another route with a stopover;

3. Issue a refund in accordance with the carrier's rules.

Such measures minimize the inconvenience to travelers during the strike and help the company to maintain some of its planned transportation.

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We remind you! Some countries are island states with political neutrality, which means that the likelihood of military conflict is quite low. Read more about the countries that are likely to participate in World War III and the top safest countries in the world.

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