These airline strikes come as airlines world-wide are struggling to overcome their deepest crisis in years by pushing staff, suppliers and passengers to accept less while demanding more bang for their buck.
Lufthansa Pilots Union Suspends Strikes Till 8 March
In Frankfurt, Germany, Lufthansa has just agreed to head back into talks with the 4000 strong pilots union, after a strike of less than 24 hours. Lufthansa's pilots' union was planning a four-day walkout, which Lufthansa says would have cost it 100 million euros. The shorter strike was enough to disrupt the trips of 10,000 passengers.
Shortly after the agreement to end the largest strike by its pilots in the airline's history was announced, Lufthansa was apologizing to and reassuring clients on social networking site Twitter. Further strikes have been suspended until 8 March.
Other European airlines' efforts to restructure their troubled industry are hitting resistance from labor unions after years of cutbacks.
British Airways Set to Strike in early March
In London, BA's cabin staff are also protesting moves to boost efficiency. Many staff are upset that BA changed working procedures last year. Labor union, Unite took BA to Britain's High Court over the issue, arguing the changes breached crew members' contracts. Last week the court ruled in BA's favor.