Flights halted at Berlin airport as strike grounds operations

Air traffic at Berlin's airport ground to a halt early on Wednesday after the Verdi service workers' union began a full-day strike in an ongoing pay dispute, affecting roughly 57,000 passengers.

445 departures and arrivals were scheduled for Wednesday.

Berlin Brandenburg Airport is one of Germany's major hubs, serving around 25 million passengers annually.

Verdi is negotiating for higher wages for some 2,000 employees, including staff in the fire department, air traffic control and terminal management.

The strike comes ahead of another round of negotiations scheduled for March 25.

Berlin airport's CEO has called the strike "disproportionate" amid an already tense situation due to the Iran war.

-Miranda Murray/Reuters