Industrial action by staff of Lufthansa has disrupted international travel, leaving several Nigerian passengers stranded and forcing some to spend the night at airports after scheduled flights were cancelled.
The disruption followed a series of strike actions in April by the airline’s pilots and cabin crew over pay, pensions and working conditions, amid an ongoing restructuring within the Lufthansa Group. The action severely affected operations at major German hubs, especially Frankfurt Airport and Munich Airport, where hundreds of flights were grounded on peak strike days.
Passengers travelling to Nigeria were among those caught in the fallout. Many were rebooked on alternative airlines, including Royal Air Maroc, but some travellers reported delays, poor communication and additional technical issues with their replacement flights.
A number of passengers bound for Nigeria said they were forced to remain overnight at Frankfurt after their rescheduled flights were postponed. Some claimed they were left without adequate assistance, while others were eventually provided hotel accommodation.
One traveller described missing an important appointment in Nigeria due to the cancellations, noting that information from the airlines was initially unclear, leaving passengers confused about what to do next.
Another passenger criticised the handling of the situation by the replacement carrier, alleging that a flight initially scheduled for the evening was moved to the following day, leaving some travellers to sleep at the airport. He added that passengers whose visas had expired were unable to re-enter Germany and were not promptly assisted with transit accommodation.
The strikes were organised by German aviation unions representing cabin crew and pilots after negotiations with management reportedly stalled. The unions are demanding improved welfare packages and better working conditions, while the airline has argued that the demands are financially difficult as it works to stabilise operations and restore profitability.
In response to the repeated disruptions and rising operational costs, Lufthansa announced it would speed up its restructuring plans, including the withdrawal of 27 aircraft operated by its regional subsidiary, Lufthansa CityLine, from service. Affected workers are expected to be redeployed within the group, while discussions on possible redundancies continue.
Reacting to the situation, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority said the authority had been informed about the strike by the airline. He noted that airlines are permitted under aviation regulations to either rebook affected passengers on other carriers or provide hotel accommodation where necessary.
He added that such measures are often the only practical options when flights are cancelled unexpectedly due to industrial action.
Aviation authorities have also reminded passengers that European Union passenger protection rules may entitle travellers to compensation in cases of cancellations and long delays, depending on the circumstances.
