Strike at Frankfurt Airport: stay informed, know your rights, stay flexible

Frankfurt is Germany’s most important hub – and therefore particularly affected when there is a strike. Sometimes the staff at the security checks walk out, sometimes the ground staff, sometimes an airline’s pilots or cabin crew. Because many travellers change planes in Frankfurt, a strike here often affects connections all over the world. In this guide you will learn how to act correctly during a strike, which rights you have, what applies to transfer connections and how to deal with your booked parking space.

Who is striking – and what that means

• Aviation security staff: without checks, passengers cannot get into the security area. Departures are then cancelled on a large scale. Transfer passengers who do not leave the security area are sometimes less affected.
• Ground staff: baggage handling, apron, aircraft handling – the entire flight operation can be severely restricted.
• Airline staff: if an airline’s pilots or cabin crew strike, mainly that airline’s flights are cancelled. In Frankfurt this often affects many connections because of Lufthansa’s large share.
• Air traffic controllers abroad: strikes in other countries affect flights from Frankfurt to those countries or through their airspace.

Staying informed

1. Airline app and email: keep the contact details in your booking up to date. Airlines inform you and often offer rebookings directly in the app.
2. frankfurt-airport.com: the airport publishes information and recommendations on whether travellers should come to the airport.
3. News: trade unions announce warning strikes publicly.
4. Tour operator: for package holidays, the tour operator informs you and organises things.

Don’t travel to the airport on the off chance if you are advised not to – even if your flight does not yet appear as cancelled in the app.

Your rights

Always: care, refund, alternative flight

Under EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, if your flight is cancelled you can choose between a refund and re-routing. If you have to wait longer, the airline must look after you with meals and, if necessary, a hotel. This applies regardless of who is striking.

Compensation: it depends

The flat-rate compensation of 250, 400 or 600 euros does not apply in extraordinary circumstances. Strikes by airport or security staff are often considered as such. If the airline’s own staff strike, the European Court of Justice has ruled that this is generally not an extraordinary circumstance – in that case compensation may be due. Details in the guide Flight delayed or cancelled at Frankfurt Airport.

Changing planes during a strike

For many travellers, Frankfurt is only a stopover. During a strike the following applies:

• Single booking: the airline has to rebook you onto another flight, another route or another means of transport.
• Separate bookings: if you miss a separately booked connection because of the strike, you usually have no claims against the second airline.
• If you start in Frankfurt and change planes elsewhere: if your first flight is cancelled, the airline takes care of the whole journey with a single booking.

Your parking space during a strike

Cancellation before departure

If you find out in time, cancel the parking space with Friend-Park free of charge up to 24 hours before the booked arrival. Amounts paid online are refunded including the service fee. If the cancellation comes at shorter notice, write to us immediately with your booking number. More in the frequently asked questions about cancellations.

Rebooking

If you are rebooked onto a different day, the parking period often no longer fits. Cancel in time and book again, or contact us. More in the frequently asked questions about changing a booking.

Strike during your holiday

If your return flight is cancelled and you come back later, inform the provider early. Extra days usually cost the daily rate. Keep the invoice – depending on the cause, you may be able to claim the extra costs from the airline.

Alternatives during a strike

• Rebook to another day: often possible free of charge when strikes are announced.
• Another airport: if your airline also flies from other airports in the region, that can be an option; clarify the cost of getting there.
• Train: for domestic and some European connections, airlines offer train tickets. The long-distance station is right at Terminal 1.
• Wait it out: warning strikes usually last one day.

If you are already at the airport

• Allow much more time for check-in and security
• Keep water, snacks and a power bank to hand
• Follow announcements and staff instructions
• Collect receipts and photos of the departure board
• Ask about alternatives at the airline’s transfer desk

Flexible booking pays off

Fair conditions pay off, especially when strikes are frequent. On Friend-Park you see the final price including the service fee and the cancellation rules before you book: Book parking at Frankfurt Airport.

Strikes during the holidays

If a strike falls during the holidays, alternative flights are scarce. Book early anyway – free cancellation up to 24 hours before gives you flexibility. More in the guide Parking during the holidays at Frankfurt Airport.

Enforcing your claims

Write to the airline with the flight number, date, booking code, a description and receipts. If your claim is rejected, the German conciliation body söp (if the airline takes part), the German Federal Aviation Office or claims services can help.

Travel insurance

Many travel insurance policies exclude strikes. Check the conditions before you rely on them. More important are flexible fares, package holidays with the tour operator’s liability and a parking space that can be cancelled free of charge.

Checklist

• App, emails and frankfurt-airport.com checked
• Did not travel to the airport on the off chance
• Rebooking or refund clarified
• Parking space cancelled in time or provider informed
• Receipts collected

Lufthansa strikes: special features at the hub

Because Lufthansa operates its most important hub in Frankfurt, strikes at the airline have a particularly strong impact here. In addition to flights from Frankfurt, feeder flights from other cities are then often cancelled, and transfer connections all over the world are thrown into disarray. In such cases the airline usually publishes a special flight schedule and offers rebookings. Check your booking in the app before you set off, and don’t travel to the airport on the off chance. If your flight is with another airline, you are generally not directly affected by an airline strike – but full terminals and rebooked passengers can still lead to bigger crowds.

Security staff strikes: what applies to transfer passengers

If the security staff strike, travellers starting their journey in Frankfurt often cannot get into the security area. Transfer passengers who do not have to leave the security area are sometimes less affected – but only if no change is required that calls for a new check. That can be exactly the case for arrivals from non-EU countries with an onward flight. In this situation, get advice at the airline’s transfer desk.

The train as an alternative

With its long-distance station right at Terminal 1, Frankfurt is one of the few airports where the train offers a real alternative during strikes. For domestic connections and some destinations in neighbouring countries, airlines often offer train tickets when flights are cancelled. Ask your airline before buying a ticket yourself so that the costs are covered. More in the guide Taking the train to Frankfurt Airport.

Your car is already at the airport

If your flight is only cancelled once you are at the airport, your car is already with the provider. Talk to them: with valet parking the car can often be brought back quickly, and with shuttle parking the bus takes you back to the car park. Clarify how the parking period that has already started will be handled. If you have questions, we will help you with your booking number.

Keep calm

Strike days are exhausting for everyone – for travellers as well as for the staff who have to cushion the consequences. Polite questions at the desk usually lead to a solution faster than anger. Keep your booking numbers ready and note down the names and times of any information you are given.

Conclusion: informed and flexible

A strike at Frankfurt Airport can upset travel plans worldwide. If you find out early, know your rights and book flexibly, you will usually get off lightly. More answers in our frequently asked questions about problems, all parking options on the page Parking at Frankfurt Airport.