Germany News: Lufthansa Cabin Crew Strike Follows Pilot Walkout

Germany’s national airline, Lufthansa, is facing disruptions as its cabin crew initiates a two-day strike. This follows recent pilot strikes, creating a ripple effect across the country’s aviation sector. The Independent Flight Attendants’ Organization (UFO) cited stalled negotiations over a new collective agreement as the reason for the walkout, which is expected to impact departures from major airports like Frankfurt and Munich. Further cancellations may occur through Thursday night.

Air Crash Near Düren Claims Two Lives

Authorities in western Germany reported a small plane crash near Düren, resulting in two fatalities. The aircraft, which departed from Aachen-Merzbrück Airfield, crashed in a wooded area. Hikers stumbled upon the wreckage close to a reservoir, triggering a substantial emergency response. No other injuries were reported, though the cause of the incident remains under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation in North Rhine-Westphalia.

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AfD Surpasses Rivals in National Poll

A new survey by YouGov revealed the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has overtaken other parties, securing 27% support—a one-point increase from the prior month. This marks the AfD’s strongest position since the start of the year. Meanwhile, the conservative CDU/CSU alliance dropped to 23%, its lowest level in this poll since late 2021. The center-left Social Democrats fell to 13%, while the Greens and the Left Party each gained one percentage point, reaching 14% and 10% respectively. The business-oriented Free Democrats and populist-left BSW remain at 4%, below the parliamentary threshold.

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Union Demands Highlight Growing Tensions

Union leaders from the pilots’ group Vereinigung Cockpit announced additional strikes on Thursday and Friday, citing a deadlock in discussions with the airline. Union chief Andreas Pinheiro noted no progress had been made with the employer. The strikes will affect most Lufthansa flights departing from German airports, including subsidiaries like Lufthansa Cargo and CityLine. Limited exceptions apply to routes to the Middle East.

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Anniversary Rally Amid Disruptions

A planned rally in Frankfurt coincides with celebrations marking Lufthansa’s 100th anniversary. Chancellor Friedrich Merz is anticipated to attend, adding to the public scrutiny surrounding the airline’s labor disputes. A one-day cabin crew strike last week already caused hundreds of flight cancellations, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by the carrier this year.

Guten Tag from DW’s newsroom in Bonn, where the city’s iconic cherry blossoms are falling once again. You join us as Lufthansa’s cabin staff begin a two-day walkout, following two days of pilot strikes. Recurring labor actions have plagued the airline since the beginning of the year.