The cancellation of flights in Frankfurt and Munich by Germany’s flagship carrier affects more than 130,000 passengers.
Germany’s flagship carrier Deutsche Lufthansa says it is cancelling more than 1,000 flights in advance of a one-day walkout by ground staff scheduled for Wednesday.
Strikes and staff shortages have already forced a number of airlines to cancel thousands of flights and caused hours-long queues at major airports, frustrating holidaymakers keen to travel after COVID-19-related lockdowns.
Lufthansa said on Tuesday it had cancelled 678 flights at its Frankfurt hub, most of which were scheduled for Wednesday, and 345 flights at Munich.
The move affected more than 130,000 passengers, Lufthansa said, adding that there could be a few more cancellations and delays on Thursday and Friday, after the end of the strike called by labour union Verdi in pursuit of a 9.5 percent pay rise.
Earlier in June, Lufthansa had cancelled an additional 2,000 summer flights from Frankfurt and Munich, citing staffing shortages at airports as well as industrial action and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Last month, Lufthansa Chief Executive Carsten Spohr apologised to its employees and customers for the travel chaos.