Following warning strikes at Düsseldorf and Cologne/Bonn airports, Munich Airport will now also be affected by a two-day industrial action. The service union ver.di has called on public sector employees and ground handling services to stop work from Thursday to Friday. The background to this is the ongoing wage dispute in the public sector. According to the airport, around 1.600 flights are expected to be affected. Passengers must expect significant delays, flight cancellations and long waiting times.
Since this is a strike by airport staff and is outside the control of the airlines, there is generally no entitlement to compensation payments of up to 600 euros per person under the European Air Passenger Rights Regulation. Nevertheless, airlines are obliged to rebook passengers on alternative connections as quickly as possible. If this does not happen, passengers can claim reimbursement in certain cases. The ECJ ruling of 2020 (case C-74/19) obliges airlines to rebook travelers on the fastest available route - including via other airlines or indirect connections.
Affected passengers are also entitled to compensation. In the event of delays of more than five hours or cancellations, airlines must refund the ticket price or offer alternative transport. Domestic flights can be rebooked onto train tickets. In addition, airlines are obliged to provide supplies such as meals, drinks and, if required, hotel accommodation. Passengers are advised to keep all receipts in order to claim possible costs for alternative transport or meals from the airlines.
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