Lufthansa CityLine Pilots Back Strike Action
Pilots at Lufthansa CityLine have overwhelmingly authorized potential strike action after wage negotiations with management broke down, the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) pilots’ union said. The strike is not scheduled yet.
According to VC, 99% of participating pilots voted in favor of a strike, with turnout reaching 95%. The result grants the union’s group bargaining committee a mandate “for all further steps,” although no strike date has been announced.
The vote follows a collapse in talks over a new collective bargaining agreement. German media reported that VC rejected the employer’s latest proposal, arguing it fell short of union demands. The offer also reportedly included a “peace obligation” extending through the end of 2027, which VC said would restrict negotiations on matters it believes should remain open for discussion.
Lufthansa CityLine operates short-haul feeder services within the Lufthansa Group network. The parent company has previously announced plans to gradually phase out CityLine operations and transfer routes to Lufthansa City Airlines, a newer subsidiary created to reduce costs on short- and medium-haul routes as part of a broader restructuring strategy.
The strike authorization comes just weeks after significant disruption elsewhere in the group. On February 12, 2026, Lufthansa canceled nearly 800 flights during a separate labor dispute, affecting around 100,000 passengers. That action involved multiple work stoppages across the group, including pilots represented by VC targeting Lufthansa’s core airline and Lufthansa Cargo in a dispute focused on pensions. VC also previously called a strike at Lufthansa CityLine linked to the carrier’s restructuring plans.
The union has not specified what form any potential CityLine strike might take, how long it could last, or whether it would be coordinated with other labor groups. Under German labor law, the ballot result gives VC the legal authority to initiate industrial action, but a strike is not automatic and could still be avoided if negotiations resume.
Lufthansa continues to face parallel negotiations with pilot, cabin crew, and ground staff unions, with periodic strikes and strike threats leading to cancellations and schedule adjustments. Neither VC nor Lufthansa CityLine has disclosed details about the next round of talks or whether mediation has been requested, stating only that the ballot delivered a strong mandate for further action.
Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=Lufthansa, https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/airline-finance/
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com