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Parked Lufthansa aircraft at Frankfurt Airport (archive image): More than 100,000 passengers could be affected

Photo: Lando Hass/dpa

Hundreds of thousands of travelers have to keep their nerves this week: on the one hand because of the train drivers' strike on Tuesday and on the other hand because of the cabin crew strike at Lufthansa.

After the airline's ground staff went on strike at the end of last week, the flight attendants have now been called on by the UFO cabin union to stop work.

You can find out what rights affected passengers basically have here.

Where and when should the strike take place?

The strikes are from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m

  • on Tuesday all departures from Frankfurt

    and

  • All departures from Munich on Wednesday

    , as the cabin union UFO announced.

The airline assumed on Monday that a total of 1,000 flights would be canceled in Frankfurt and Munich on the two days: 600 in Frankfurt and 400 in Munich.

According to a Lufthansa spokesman, around 120,000 passengers will be affected: 70,000 in Frankfurt and 50,000 in Munich.

How do you still reach your goal?

The airline must proactively offer alternative travel options in the event of flight cancellations and delays of more than three hours.

This can happen automatically and can be communicated via email, for example.

It is always advisable to contact the airline or find out more on their website.

In the current case, Lufthansa referred to free rebooking options via lufthansa.com, the customer app and the service center.

It says on the website that it is “adjusting its flight program on both days”.

Guests whose flights were affected by the UFO strike are currently being rebooked.

Guests whose bookings have already been processed received information about the cancellation of their flight and rebooking options individually by email or in the Lufthansa app.

In general, if a flight is delayed by more than five hours, travelers can return the ticket and request their money back - they do not have to accept vouchers.

Processing fees may not be retained by the airline either.

The catch: You then have to figure out how to get to your destination yourself.

Often you end up paying extra and have the additional organizational effort.

Travel lawyer Paul Degott advises travelers to contact the airline.

It would be cheaper to leave them responsible for finding replacement transport for the passenger in a timely manner.

With the help of the airline, it might be possible to take the train to another airport and fly from there.

For domestic German flights, airlines often offer their customers train tickets to get to their destination.

Although, as mentioned, this will often not be an option this time due to the GDL strike on the railways that is taking place at the same time.

If you stay at the airport and wait for a replacement flight, the airline has to provide you with meals and drinks depending on the waiting time.

If necessary, she must also arrange accommodation in a hotel and the necessary transfers.

Are there claims to compensation as compensation?

“What matters is who is on strike,” says Degott.

Strikes or warning strikes by our own staff are a circumstance that is within the airline's control.

According to current case law, internal strikes do not count as an “extraordinary circumstance” that could free you from the payment obligation.

This is important for all Lufthansa passengers whose flights are canceled or severely delayed due to the airline's warning strike.

However, if the airport staff goes on strike, the prospects for compensation are rather poor.

This applies to those affected who were unable to catch their flight due to the strike by aviation security forces at Hamburg, Düsseldorf and Frankfurt airports.

The EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation determines how high possible compensation is.

For delays of more than three hours at the destination or short-term cancellations, the cost is between 250 and 600 euros, depending on the flight route.

Important to know: The right to replacement transport or reimbursement of ticket costs exists in any case, regardless of whether passengers are also entitled to compensation.

What if the package holiday starts late?

“With a package tour, the organizer is responsible,” says Degott.

For example, if you don't go on vacation until a day later due to a warning strike or strike, you can reduce the travel price proportionately.

This means you pay less for one day.

Where can I find information about my rights?

The European Consumer Center offers a browser-based self-help tool for flight problems.

There is also a good overview on the website of the Arbitration Board for Public Transport (söp).

Those affected can also contact söp free of charge if there is a dispute with the airline about refunds.

Passengers can also read about their rights in detail on the consumer advice center website.

The free Flugärger app from the NRW Consumer Center can help you check claims.

jus/dpa