Lufthansa pilots extended their pay strike into a third day on Friday, with domestic and European flights worst hit and the travel plans of over 100,000 passengers affected.
The Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) pilots’ union threatened to ground flights on Saturday as well.
The 14th round of strike since the dispute began in April 2014, has resulted in some 2,500 flights being cancelled over the past three days, affecting 315,000 passengers.
VC has refused to enter into arbitration as called for by the company.
On Saturday, it plans to target the German flagship carrier’s long-haul flights leaving from German airports.
Lufthansa said some 830 more flights would be cancelled, but that long-haul flights would be “carried out virtually according to schedule” during the week.
“Domestic and short-haul flights within Europe would be worst hit ahead of the weekend,’’ the company said.
German airports, including the main hubs at Frankfurt and Munich, were reported to be quiet.
Chaos was avoided by many Lufthansa passengers simply staying away from airports.
The company was providing updated information on its website and arranging alternatives for stranded passengers.
The pilots vowed to extend their latest strike in a long-running pay dispute with the German airline, raising pressure on management and leaving passengers fearing fresh disruption.
The walkout has already grounded some 2,600 planes.
Lufthansa has said the disruption has started to hit medium-term bookings.
The airline said it would cancel a further 137 flights on Saturday, around 5 per cent of its schedule, including 88 intercontinental flights.
“Some short- and medium-haul flights would also be affected,’’ it said.
Lufthansa urged the union to enter arbitration but the union said it wanted to see a better offer first.
“As things stand at present, we will have to keep striking as there is no basis for negotiations or arbitration with Lufthansa at the moment,’’ said Joerg Handwerg, board member at the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) pilots’ union.
The union wants an average annual pay increase of 3.7 per cent for 5,400 pilots in Germany over a five-year period from 2012.
Lufthansa has offered 2.5 per cent over six years to 2019.
Lufthansa Chief Executive Carsten Spohr has said the carrier’s future would be on the line if pilots’ wages were raised to the level demanded.
Lufthansa says it has to cut costs to compete with leaner rivals such as Ryanair (RYA.I) on short-haul routes and Emirates EMIRA.UL on long-haul flights, despite making a record profit in 2015.
Lufthansa pilots are well paid by industry standards.
A pilot at Lufthansa earns on average 180,000 Euros ($190,000) a year before tax, though a captain on the highest pay level can earn as much as 22,000 Euros a month before tax.
