Passengers look at a display board at Berlin's BER airport, where air traffic is restricted due to weather conditions. (Archive photo)
© dpa
Due to a warning strike by the Verdi union, the operators of Berlin's BER airport will completely suspend passenger flight operations on Wednesday.
"On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, no regular passenger flights will be possible at Berlin Brandenburg Airport," the Berlin-Brandenburg Airport Company (FBB) announced. This will affect 445 departures and arrivals carrying approximately 57,000 passengers,
The Verdi union has called for a full-day warning strike at BER Airport on that day. The union stated that the industrial action is a "direct consequence of the employers' refusal to present a negotiable offer." The FBB urged affected passengers to contact their respective airlines for information on rebooking and alternative travel options.
Verdi is currently negotiating with Berlin-Brandenburg Airport to secure higher wages for approximately 2,000 employees. These include staff in the fire department, air traffic control and terminal management. As a result, it is considered impossible to maintain flight operations, even though many areas - such as ground handling services and security checks - are handled by contractors who are not affected by the warning strike.