Finance
Lufthansa says pilots' strike 'incomprehensible' amid iran war
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 11, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 11, 2026
Quick Summary
Lufthansa condemned a planned two-day pilot strike amid escalating turbulence in global aviation driven by the Iran war, calling it “incomprehensible” as disruptions and soaring fuel costs strain the industry.
Lufthansa Calls Pilots' Strike Incomprehensible Amid Geopolitical Crisis
Overview of Lufthansa Pilots' Strike and Its Implications
Background of the Strike
BERLIN, March 11 (Reuters) - Lufthansa on Wednesday criticised a planned two-day walkout of its pilots this week, just as the global sector is grappling with one of its deepest crises since the pandemic.
Lufthansa's Response
"This escalation is completely incomprehensible, especially at a time when we are experiencing a new level of geopolitical uncertainty with the war in Iran and passengers worldwide are being affected," board member Michael Niggemann said in a statement.
Pilots' Union Perspective
Pilots' union VC had announced a strike on Thursday and Friday in its long dispute with Lufthansa over company pensions, saying the airline has not made an offer. "It's no use if the other side only signals a willingness to talk but refuses to discuss substantial improvements to the company pension scheme," it said.
Scope of the Walkout
The walkout will affect Lufthansa passenger and cargo flights departing from German airports, according to the union, but will exempt flights to select countries in the Middle East "in light of the current situation" there.
Impact on Middle East Destinations
Lufthansa, however, is currently not offering passenger flights to destinations such as Tel Aviv, Dubai or Abu Dhabi due to the Iran conflict.
Broader Impact on Aviation Sector
The war has caused chaos in the region's aviation sector, forcing many airlines to cancel connections or use alternative routes.
Lufthansa's Contingency Plans
Lufthansa said that a special flight schedule is being drawn up for the two-day strike and will be published by 2:00 p.m. (1300 GMT) on Wednesday.
Role of Subsidiaries
In Germany, the group's subsidiaries Discover Airlines and Lufthansa CityAirline will fly their scheduled programme and take on additional flights where possible, it added.
(Reporting by Thomas Seythal. Additional reporting by Matthias Williams. Editing by Mark Potter)
Key Takeaways
- •Lufthansa slammed the pilots’ two‑day strike over pensions as “completely incomprehensible,” especially amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty due to the Iran war.
- •The Iran conflict has inflicted the biggest disruption in global air travel since the pandemic, with thousands of flight cancellations, closed airspace in Gulf hubs, surging jet‑fuel costs and rerouted operations.
- •The pilots’ union VC is demanding substantial improvements to the company pension scheme, arguing Lufthansa has not made a serious offer, while the airline is under pressure amid mounting costs.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lufthansa says pilots' strike 'incomprehensible' amid Iran war
1Why are Lufthansa pilots planning to strike?
Lufthansa pilots are striking as part of a long-running dispute over company pensions and a lack of substantial offers from the airline.
2How will the Lufthansa strike affect flights?
The strike will impact Lufthansa passenger and cargo flights from German airports, but flights to select Middle Eastern countries will be exempt.
