No long haul Lufthansa as pilot strike grounds services

The pilots strike afflicting Lufthansa has stretched to long haul and cargo services in addition to domestic and European routes.

The two-day strike over a company retirement scheme has hit operating profit and share prices.

Barbara Schädler is a spokesperson for the airline:

“Unfortunately, this is the ninth strike at Lufthansa this year alone. We always see a drop in bookings afterwards, but we also appear to have very loyal customers. But that could change, we must not push our luck.”

The union is fighting to retain a package that allows pilots to retire at 55 and retain 60 percent of their salary until a pension plan kicks in at 65.