Hundreds of flights faced cancellations at a major airport as all incoming and outgoing journeys were halted, causing travel chaos for numerous British passengers.
Berlin Brandenburg Airport came to a standstill due to strikes led by Verdi service workers demanding higher wages, affecting 2,000 employees. The airport saw 445 flights grounded, impacting around 57,000 passengers caught up in the disruptions.
The UK airlines impacted by the shutdown included British Airways, easyJet, and Ryanair, affecting travelers scheduled to depart from London, Manchester, Bristol, and Edinburgh, who were left scrambling to make alternate travel arrangements.
The airport management announced the suspension of all scheduled passenger flights on March 18, 2026, with 23 flights from the UK to Berlin affected. Passengers were advised to contact their airlines or tour operators for rebooking options and alternative travel arrangements.
Airport authorities assured affected passengers of alternative routing or refunds, but the disruption may persist, with crucial negotiations between unions and management scheduled for March 25. Aletta von Massenbach, the airport’s chief executive, criticized the strike action as “disproportionate,” particularly amidst the tense situation due to the conflict in Iran.
Meanwhile, flights to and from the Middle East faced significant disruptions due to the ongoing conflict with Iran. British Airways recently announced the cancellation of flights to Amman, Bahrain, Dubai, and Tel Aviv until May 31, along with the suspension of flights to Doha until April 30, further impacting air travel in the region.