David Rolph

Director of Global Security

Abt Associates

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Worldcue^® Alert
Severity: Critical Alert

Transportation: UPDATE 1: German Lufthansa (LH) pilots to stage three-day strike April 2-4. If not averted, expect severe disruptions networkwide; confirm reservations.

This alert affects Germany

This alert began 28 Mar 2014 14:43 GMT and is scheduled to expire 05 Apr 2014 23:59 GMT.

Updated Information
Unionized pilots of Lufthansa (LH) will stage a three-day strike 0001 April 2-2359 April 4 at all German airports. Around 5,400 of the airline's pilots are expected to participate in the work stoppage, likely causing widespread cancellations and delays across the domestic and international networks of Lufthansa, Lufthansa Cargo, and Germanwings (4U). Lufthansa will likely begin announcing passenger flight cancellations during the strike period on March 31.

If not averted, the work stoppage has the potential to create extensive flight backlogs across airlines, and lingering disruptions are possible after the end of the strike. Previous Lufthansa pilot strikes created severe disruptions; during a previous action in 2010, approximately 1,000 flights were canceled in one day.

Background
Leaders of labor union Vereinigung Cockpit called for the work stoppage to demand increased pay and the maintenance of the existing pension plans for its members. Labor negotiations between airline and union representatives will continue until the start of the industrial action; the two sides could still come to an agreement.

Advice
Contact Lufthansa to reschedule flights; do not check out of hotels without first confirming onward travel. Expect protracted flight delays through early April 5 as the airline repositions aircraft and works through passenger and freight backlogs. Demand for seats on other airlines' planes will be high; book tickets with other carriers as quickly as possible for time-sensitive travel. Plan accordingly for cargo flight disruptions and associated delivery delays.

Resources
Lufthansa (LH): www.lufthansa.com
Canceled Lufthansa Passenger Flights (German): www.lufthansa.com/de/de/Gestrichene-Fluege