Pilots strike to cost 35-75mn euros: Lufthansa

Germany’s main airline, Lufthansa, says a three-day walkout by its pilots over low pay and poor conditions will cost the airline millions of euros.

The German airline said on Friday that it has estimated the loss due to the strike at 35 to 75 million euros, adding that it would take some additional days to calculate the final amount.

In addition, Lufthansa called on the pilots to return to the negotiating table, although adding that it would not present a new offer.

“We will open up talks on the basis of the offer that already exists,” said Kay Kratky, Lufthansa’s chief operating officer.

Negotiations based on the existing offer by the carrier have, so far, proved fruitless. Each side has blamed the other for the breakdown of talks.

The strike began on April 2 and is the largest in Lufthansa’s history. The union, which represents most of Lufthansa’s 5,400 pilots, has demanded higher wages and accused Lufthansa of failing to move forward talks over the past two years.

The walkout is also in protest at the airline’s plans to change retirement regulations.

The strike action resulted in the cancelation of hundreds of flights only on Thursday and is expected to cost Germany’s largest airline millions of euros by the end of the strike on Friday.

Lufthansa said a total of 3,800 flights are expected to be canceled by Friday midnight. It also said the strike would affect 425,000 passengers on Lufthansa and its budget airline Germanwings.

Lufthansa has faced a string of strikes during the past two years over issues including wages, working conditions, benefits and the use of temporary employees.