Almost 600 flights grounded in Germany

The German public strike that hit airports across the country grounded about 600 flights. The situation is returning to normal after the eleven-hour strike, but delays are still expected.

Frankfurt airport was the most affected. Ground staff, baggage, handlers and maintenance crew returned to work. “Disruptions can be expected for the next 12 hours. We are still asking passengers to check the status of their flight before traveling to the airport and re-booking where necessary,” was written in an official Frankfurt airport statement.

There were about 1,800 flights scheduled across Germany yesterday, and about 600 were grounded. The figure was confirmed by the Union Verdi, the public workers union. In Munich Lufthansa, Germany's biggest operator, had to cancel about 140 flights. Flights were grounded also in Dusseldorf, Hannover, Hamburg and Stuttgart airports.

Verdi has been fighting for better salaries since 2013 for airports staff. The strikes started about a year ago in German airports. The workers public union demands a 3.5 percent salary rise, but the request was denied so far. Union's spokesman announced further actions today, but these ones will not affect flights.