DLAKF - Lufthansa cancels thousands of flights eyes summer capacity cuts

Travel headaches continue for Lufthansa ( OTCQX:DLAKY ) as a trade union strike threatens operations.

“For Friday, 17 February, the trade union ver.di has called for a one-day strike at various airports in Germany,” the German carrier said in a statement. “As the airports of Frankfurt and Munich are also affected, a large number of Lufthansa and Lufthansa Group flights are expected to be affected.”

According to FlightAware, 65% of departures from Frankfurt and 67% of departures from Munich have been canceled. Meanwhile, about 50% of arrivals to each German transportation hub have been canceled. Total cancellations thus far have risen north of about 1200.

Departures from Frankfurt had been held on Wednesday after a company-wide IT outage on Wednesday. The issue had been resolved by Wednesday evening, with normal operations “stabilizing,” according to an airline statement.

Per German business magazine Wirtschafts Woche , the airline aims to cut around 34,000 flights from its summer schedule, with a focus on Munich and Frankfurt. The lighter schedule is expected to ease operational issues and lessen delays for travelers in the busy season.

Read more on earnings expectations for the Germany flagship carrier .

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