Lufthansa faces strike threat as pilots back industrial action in pension dispute

Lufthansa faces strike threat as pilots back industrial action in pension dispute



Lufthansa planes stand parked as Frankfurt airport is closed to passengers with planned departures due to a strike organised by Verdi union, in Frankfurt, Germany, March 7, 2024. — Reuters pic

Tuesday, 30 Sep 2025 7:48 PM MYT


FRANKFURT, Sept 30 — Lufthansa could face a strike at its main airline after pilots’ union VC today said its members voted in favour of a walkout in a dispute over pensions.

The vote is the union’s last attempt to escalate pressure on Lufthansa to agree to a better deal for pilots and comes only a day after the airline group held its capital markets day, presenting its plan to become more efficient.

The airline has pushed back on deeper pension changes and threatened to move more jobs to its cheaper subsidiaries, Discover and City Airlines.

VC, or Vereinigung Cockpit, said in a statement that a vast majority of members voted for a strike, but gave no timeline for the proposed industrial action.


Still, it opens the door to more costly and disruptive labour action for Lufthansa, which has already faced several labour challenges over recent years as it struggles to cut costs and pursue growth.


Yesterday, it unveiled plans to cut 4,000 administrative jobs by 2030 and set higher profitability targets. — Reuters