Industry sources quoted by aviation news site Aero.de say a two-week mediation between Lufthansa Group and the UFO cabin-crew union ended on 21 October 2026 “largely without result”. The talks were intended to avert further walk-outs after a summer of limited strikes that cost the airline an estimated €60 million. According to insiders, negotiators failed to bridge gaps over inflation compensation, profit-sharing and minimum rest times on ultra-long-haul flights. UFO’s board is now expected to ballot members on an extended strike mandate as early as next week. If approved, stoppages could coincide with the mid-November business-travel rush and the U.S. Thanksgiving trans-Atlantic peak. Lufthansa said it was “surprised and disappointed”, noting that the company had offered a staged 12 percent wage increase and a one-off €3,000 tax-free bonus. The union argues that soaring living costs and record profits justify a larger deal. Corporate travel managers should prepare alternative routings via Star Alliance partners or rail for intra-European itineraries. Mobility teams relocating staff should book refundable fares and monitor strike notices; travellers holding German residence permits should carry physical cards in case of re-routing through non-Schengen airports.
Source: Aero.de
