Lufthansa cargo pilots have gone on strike, cancelling hundreds of flights and disrupting cargo shipments

It is understood that pilots at Lufthansa Airlines are planning a one-day strike on Friday, which will also affect the carrier's cargo subsidiary and inconvenience businesses scheduled to transport goods. A more serious threat to shippers and Lufthansa Cargo, logistics experts say, is future strike action that lasts longer and could disrupt supply chains.

The German airline said it had cancelled 800 flights at Frankfurt and Munich airports on Friday and a small number on Thursday as pilots' unions announced a 24-hour strike in a pay dispute.

"Lufthansa is working with the joint Force to return its flight operations to normal conditions as soon as possible. Nevertheless, the impact of the strike is likely to lead to the cancellation or delay of individual flights this Saturday and Sunday." The airline said in a press release.
Vereinigung Cockpit(VC) is the association of German airline pilots and flight Engineers representing the interests of around 9,600 Cockpit crew members at all German airlines, including 5,000 at Lufthansa and Lufthansa Cargo. The pilots are asking for a 5.5 percent pay raise this year and an annual inflation adjustment. It came after they voted to authorize a strike and last week rejected a proposal from Lufthansa management.
The two sides remain far apart on a new collective bargaining agreement. "Lufthansa can continue negotiations at any time." "A spokesman said.

It is not clear how many pilots will take part in the strike action, but most cargo and passenger planes are expected to be grounded on Friday. Lufthansa Cargo said it was working at full speed to automatically rebook cargo affected by cancellations on the next available flight.
Lufthansa Cargo noted that the transit and export of FWN(tropical fish, worms and shrimp larvae) and FZN(animals, including reptiles, birds and fish eggs used for breeding) were halted at Frankfurt airport on Friday and Saturday.
"Depending on the extent of Lufthansa Cargo and Lufthansa's participation in the strike, as well as the cancellation of related flights, cargo planes and passenger aircraft bellies cannot be used for cargo transport on September 2," it added.

Picture from:Lufthansa

Air cargo professionals said a one-day stoppage would be manageable for Lufthansa and cargo customers, but supply chain problems would become more acute if flight staff chose to go on strike again for an extended period.
The strike comes at a time of tight air cargo capacity. Passenger traffic remains below pre-pandemic levels, sanctions related to the conflict have taken more than 20 large cargo planes off the market, and flights to Asia have become less efficient as Russia has closed its airspace.
"If Lufthansa pilots go on strike, it will have a considerable impact on capacity." "Said Benno Forster, head of air operations and procurement for the Americas at German logistics provider DB Schenker.
Glyn Hughes, director general of IATA, said good planning and capacity management by all parties in the air logistics sector would avoid severe disruption to freight flows during short strikes.
Given the relative ease of cross-border cargo in Europe, other carriers such as Air France/KLM, Iberia and Cargolux could absorb some of Lufthansa's diverted cargo to Amsterdam, Paris, Luxembourg or Madrid. Capacity on transatlantic routes is better than on Asian routes because airlines have revived many routes to meet strong summer air demand.
A prolonged strike could also affect Lufthansa Cargo's joint ventures with All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific and United Airlines.
Strikes and staff shortages have plagued Lufthansa and other European airlines this summer, forcing the cancellation of thousands of flights. In August, Lufthansa reached an agreement with ground staff on a new contract to prevent further strikes. The move follows a 24-hour strike in July that led to the cancellation of about 1,000 flights and related cargo delays.

source:https://www.sofreight.com/