At Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) no regular passenger flights are scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, according to the airport operator, which announced the decision on Monday. The halt is a consequence of the ongoing wild card strike by the services union Verdi.
The operator said it had informed its partners-including airlines, ground handlers, security firms, and local businesses-about the shutdown. Passengers are urged to contact their airline or travel agent for rebooking options and alternative travel arrangements.
Verdi accuses the employer of blocking ongoing collective‑wage negotiations. Negotiation leader Holger Rößler said that workers have kept the airport running daily and deserve respect and a wage agreement that acknowledges their contributions. According to Rößler, during the second negotiation round the employer presented an offer that the wage commission deemed non‑negotiable and rejected. The next negotiation session is scheduled for March 25.
In the second round, employers had previously offered a multi‑step wage increase with a six‑year horizon up to the end of 2028. Under that proposal, a flat rate would be maintained until June, followed by a 1 % rise from July 2026, 1.5 % from July 2027, and an additional 1 % from May 2028. Rößler called the proposal a provocation at the bargaining table.