Emirates and Etihad Airways cancel flights to Germany ahead of strikes

Munich and Frankfurt services to be disrupted by industrial action in Europe this weekend

Passengers are being urged to contact the airline or travel booking agents. Photo: Alex Kraus / Bloomberg

Emirates has cancelled several flights between Dubai and Germany due to planned industrial action in the European nation.

Some services to Munich and Frankfurt on Sunday and Monday will be affected.

Emirates is cancelling two flights between Dubai and Munich on both days, while three flights to and from Frankfurt on Monday are cancelled.

“Customers connecting on cancelled flights to Munich and Frankfurt will not be accepted for travel at origin. We regret the inconvenience caused to our customers,” the airline said in a statement.

Travellers who booked directly with Emirates can contact the airline for rebooking, while those who booked via travel agents are advised to contact their agent for alternative travel arrangements.

Flight numbers affected by the changes are listed below:

March 26:

• EK049 Dubai to Munich
• EK050 Munich to Dubai
• EK051 Dubai to Munich
• EK052 Munich to Dubai

March 27:

• EK049 Dubai to Munich
• EK050 Munich to Dubai
• EK051 Dubai to Munich
• EK052 Munich to Dubai
• EK043 Dubai to Frankfurt
• EK044 Frankfurt to Dubai
• EK045 Dubai to Frankfurt
• EK046 Frankfurt to Dubai
• EK047 Dubai to Frankfurt
• EK048 Frankfurt to Dubai

Etihad Airways has also announced cancellations.

The national airline of the UAE has dropped flights to and from Munich on Sunday and Monday. More information regarding Etihad flights to and from Frankfurt on Monday will be communicated via the airline’s website, a representative for Etihad told The National.

“Guests booked on these cancelled services are being assisted with their travel arrangements. Etihad Airways is adding extra flights along with offering affected guests travel to/from other European destinations,” confirmed the airline.

Transport across much of Germany is expected to grind to a halt on Monday as staff at airports, railway stations, ports and subways go on strike demanding higher salaries to cope with inflation.

The action follows a series of strikes that have taken place across Germany in recent months.

On Wednesday, Germany's economic council warned that inflation could even pick up again if financial market worries prevent central banks from raising interest rates, reported Reuters.

Earlier this month, airports in Bremen, Berlin, Hamburg and Hanover cancelled more than 300 flights as security staff walked out as part of industrial action.