Aviation News – Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) halted all passenger flights on Wednesday morning after the Verdi service workers’ union launched a full-day strike over an ongoing pay dispute. The industrial action has effectively grounded the German capital’s primary aviation hub, disrupting travel plans for approximately 57,000 passengers.
The walkout follows months of stalled negotiations between the union and airport management regarding wage increases and better working conditions for ground handling and security staff. This organized work stoppage, which began in the early hours of Wednesday, led to the cancellation of around 300 scheduled take-offs and landings as the facility struggled to maintain essential safety and logistics services.
Union leaders selected this date to maximize pressure on employers as the aviation sector continues its post-pandemic recovery. With all commercial operations suspended, the airport terminal remained largely empty, save for a few travelers unaware of the mass cancellations, while the airport operator advised all passengers to avoid traveling to the site entirely.
Technically, the strike creates a cascading effect across the European flight network, forcing airlines to reroute aircraft and manage operational backlogs. Beyond the immediate grounding of planes, the lack of ground handling services means that baggage processing and aircraft fueling are impossible, resulting in a total operational shutdown rather than a mere delay.