Chaos in Berlin as Airport Strike Cancels Hundreds of Flights

Operations at Berlin Brandenburg Airport were brought to a complete standstill on Wednesday following a one-day strike by service workers, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded.

The industrial action, organised by Germany’s Verdi labour union, forced the cancellation of all scheduled arrivals and departures, affecting approximately 57,000 travellers and grounding about 445 flights.

Airport authorities confirmed that no regular passenger flights could operate during the strike, citing disruptions across critical services including fire safety, air traffic operations, and terminal management.

The strike is part of an ongoing dispute over wages, with the union representing around 2,000 airport employees demanding better pay amid rising living costs. Union officials described the action as a direct response to what they called the employers’ failure to present a meaningful offer during negotiations.

Airport management, however, criticised the move as disproportionate, warning that it severely disrupted travel plans and added pressure to an already strained aviation sector.

Passengers were advised to contact their airlines for rebooking or refunds, as the shutdown left many scrambling for alternative travel arrangements.

The strike is expected to be temporary, with further negotiations between the union and employers scheduled for later in March.