Lufthansa Operations Paralyzed as Pilots and Cabin Crew Launch Joint Strike

Hundreds of flights were grounded across Germany on Thursday, February 12, 2026, as Airlines faces a coordinated walkout by its two largest labor unions. According to reporting by Reuters, the strike involves both pilots and flight attendants at the group’s core airline, marking a significant escalation in ongoing labor disputes.

The 24-hour industrial action has resulted in the cancellation of approximately 800 flights, affecting an estimated 100,000 passengers. The primary impact is concentrated at Lufthansa’s main hubs in Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC). While the core Lufthansa brand and Lufthansa Cargo are at a standstill, subsidiaries such as Eurowings, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and SWISS are reportedly operating as scheduled.

This dual strike represents a “double blow” for the carrier, driven by separate grievances regarding pensions and corporate restructuring. Management has criticized the move as disproportionate, while union leaders argue that the airline’s cost-cutting strategies have left them no other option.

The Scope of the Walkout

The strike began at 00:01 and is scheduled to conclude at 23:59 on Thursday. It unites the pilot union, Vereinigung Cockpit (VC), and the cabin crew union, UFO (Unabhängige Flugbegleiter Organisation), in a rare simultaneous action.

According to data regarding the disruption, the cancellations effectively wipe out the majority of the core brand’s daily schedule. Passengers traveling on domestic routes within Germany have been advised to exchange flight tickets for Deutsche Bahn rail vouchers, while those on international itineraries are being offered free rebooking options. Operations are expected to stabilize by Friday, February 13, though residual delays may persist.

Core Disputes Driving the Conflict

While the unions have coordinated the timing of their strike, their demands stem from distinct conflicts with Lufthansa management.

Pilots: The Pension Battle

Negotiations between Lufthansa and Vereinigung Cockpit have stalled after seven rounds of talks. The central issue is the company pension scheme. The union claims that inflation has severely eroded the value of retirement benefits and is demanding an increase in employer contributions.

Specific demands include a contribution hike of roughly €2,400 per month per pilot. Union representatives argue that current offers fail to acknowledge the concessions pilots made during the post-pandemic recovery period.

“We have been patient, but the offer on the table does not reflect the value of our work or the economic reality of inflation.”

, Statement attributed to Vereinigung Cockpit (VC)

Cabin Crew: The “CityLine” Controversy

The dispute with the UFO cabin crew union centers on the airline’s strategic restructuring. Lufthansa is currently in the process of winding down its regional subsidiary, Lufthansa CityLine, and transferring operations to a new entity, Lufthansa City Airlines, which launched in mid-2024.

UFO has accused the airline of “tariff escape”, a tactic to circumvent established union contracts by hiring staff at the new subsidiary on lower wages and with fewer benefits. The union is demanding a comprehensive social plan to protect the jobs of displaced CityLine staff, a demand they say management has refused to negotiate.

Financial Context and Strategic Struggles

The strike occurs against a backdrop of financial pressure for Germany’s flag carrier. As noted in Reuters’ coverage, the airline has struggled for years to rein in costs at its core brand. While the broader Lufthansa Group has seen revenue growth, the “Lufthansa Classic” brand has lagged behind its internal sister airlines in terms of profit margins.

Financial-Results from 2024 indicated a drop in adjusted EBIT of approximately 20-29% for the group, driven largely by high labor costs and operational inefficiencies. In response, CEO Carsten Spohr initiated a “Turnaround Program” aimed at streamlining operations, which includes plans to cut approximately 4,000 administrative jobs.

AirPro News Analysis

The creation of “Lufthansa City Airlines” highlights a critical Strategy pivot for legacy carriers in Europe. By establishing a new subsidiary with a lower cost base, Lufthansa aims to compete more effectively with low-cost rivals like Ryanair and EasyJet on short-haul routes. However, this strategy carries high execution risks. As demonstrated by today’s strike, the move has alienated the workforce, leading to disruptions that ironically drive costs higher in the short term. The estimated cost of previous strikes in early 2024 ranged between €350 million and €450 million; continued unrest could similarly erode the savings the airline hopes to achieve through restructuring.

Summary of Impact

• Date: February 12, 2026
• Cancellations: ~800 flights
• Passengers Affected: ~100,000
• Key Hubs: Frankfurt and Munich
• Unaffected: Eurowings, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines

Sources

• Reuters