Individuals traveling through Germany who have been affected by recent airline strikes may be eligible for significant compensation.
According to The Daily Mail, Lufthansa had to cancel approximately 800 flights on Thursday, February 12, due to a 24-hour strike by pilots and cabin crew over disputes related to pensions and job security.
The publication noted that around 100,000 passengers faced disruptions, with major airports such as Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich being forced to call off numerous flights.
As Euro News detailed, affected travelers were automatically rebooked on other flights whenever possible. However, those stranded could potentially claim financial compensation under European Union regulations.
Per EU Flight Compensation, Regulation EC261/2004 allows passengers to claim up to €600, equating to roughly $712, if their flight was canceled within a 14-day notice period and they were not provided an alternative flight.
The compensation amount may differ based on the flight distance, generally €250 ($298) for short-haul, €400 ($475) for medium-haul, and up to €600 for long-haul flights.
This compensation applies when the flight cancellation meets certain criteria: it must be short-notice, involve airline staff rather than airport personnel, occur on a flight to or from the EU, and result in a delay of three hours or more.
Impacted passengers are entitled to complimentary rebooking or full refunds in addition to meals, refreshments, and hotel accommodation if necessary.
If delays extend beyond five hours, travelers may cancel their journey and receive a refund.
In response, Lufthansa described the strike announcements as ‘extremely short-notice’ and ‘disproportionate’, indicating they are prepared to ‘resume talks’ with unions. “Sustainable solutions can only be found through dialogue; strikes must always remain a last resort,” they stated. A spokesperson assured that passengers with affected flights would be notified beforehand.
Normal operations at Lufthansa resumed after Thursday’s 24-hour strike, and German airports have since recovered from the extensive cancellations.
Nonetheless, residual effects may linger as aircraft and crew are repositioned, and schedules normalize.
The strike specifically impacted Lufthansa’s central operations in Germany, while some other airlines under the Lufthansa Group were unaffected and continued to fly.
Lufthansa’s partner airlines—Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, Eurowings, and Discover Airlines—were not involved in the strike and maintained their regular flight schedules, even as the strike halted numerous Lufthansa flights.
Passengers booked on flights scheduled shortly after the strike are still advised to verify their flight status prior to traveling.
Those whose flights were canceled during the strike should have received communication regarding rebooking or refund opportunities.
If this is not the case, passengers can submit refund requests through Lufthansa’s website.