Germany’s main capital airport, Berlin Brandenburg Airport, will suspend all regular flight operations on March 18 as a large-scale strike by airport staff brings activity to a standstill.

Airport authorities confirmed that all departures and arrivals will be cancelled due to a critical staff shortage. Ground handling personnel and security workers have joined the strike, making it impossible to maintain safe flight operations.

The industrial action is led by ver.di, one of Germany’s largest unions, representing workers across the transport sector. The strike is part of broader demands for higher wages amid rising inflation.

Passengers scheduled to depart from Berlin on March 18 have been advised not to come to the airport, as terminals will be closed for check-in. Most airlines have already begun rebooking affected यात्रies or offering full refunds.

Operations are expected to resume on March 19, although disruptions may continue for several days as airlines work through cancellations and delays.

The shutdown is part of a wider wave of transport strikes across Europe. Earlier this month, Lufthansa cancelled more than 600 flights due to pilot strikes, while airports in Brussels – including Brussels Airport and Charleroi Airport – also experienced partial or full closures.

The growing number of strikes highlights mounting pressure in Europe’s transport sector, where workers are increasingly demanding improved pay and conditions. For travellers, it signals a season of uncertainty – and the need for flexibility when planning journeys.