On February 12, 2026, a significant strike involving pilots and cabin crew at Lufthansa has resulted in the cancellation of nearly all flights from German airports. According to the German Airports Association (ADV), over 460 flights are expected to be canceled today, significantly disrupting travel plans for around 69,000 passengers. Lufthansa has advised its customers to check the flight status before heading to the airport and refers them to its online booking system for any changes to their tickets, anticipating a restoration of its flight schedule the following day.

The strike is organized by the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) pilots' union and the UFO cabin crew organization, totaling around 14,800 members demanding higher employer contributions to company and transitional pensions. Lufthansa's management, however, has described the strike as an "unnecessary escalation" and argues that meeting the demands of the unions could lead to severe disruptions in the airline's operations. This labor action highlights ongoing tensions between the airline and its staff regarding compensation and benefits amidst post-pandemic recovery efforts in the aviation industry.

This situation not only underlines the struggles within the airline industry to balance operational demands with employee welfare, but it also underscores the significant impact on passengers and the broader travel ecosystem, especially as Germany is a major hub for international travel. With the ripple effects of such strikes likely to affect other airlines and related services, the situation calls for urgent dialogue to resolve these disputes and ensure smoother operations moving forward.