A major European airport has been forced to cancel all departing and arriving flights today – impacting thousands of Britons and tens of thousands of passengers overall. Some 445 flights have been grounded due to strike action at Berlin Brandenburg Airport in Schoenefeld, Germany.

Passenger flight operations were completely suspended after the Verdi union staged a one-day warning strike over pay, affecting around 2,000 service workers. The disruption at the major German hub has so far impacted approximately 57,000 passengers. Airlines affected by the cancellations are easyjet, Ryanair and British Airways. This includes a number of flights due to take off from the UK today, affecting airports in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Bristol. Disruption is expected for thousands of UK passengers, with 23 outbound flights to Berlin impacted and further return flights from the German capital also affected.

A statement from Brandenburg Airport read: “On Wednesday, 18 March 2026, no scheduled passenger flights will be possible at Berlin Brandenburg Airport.

“The airport operator has informed its partners, such as airlines, ground handling service providers, security companies and local businesses, of this.

“Please contact your airline or tour operator for information on rebooking and alternative travel options.”

Passengers affected will be contacted by the airline offering alternative routes or full refunds.

More flights could be affected at the airport later this month, with another negotiation date on March 25.

Berlin Airport chief Aletta von Massenbach described the cancellations as “disproportionate” to the problem.

She said: “We consider a warning strike to be disproportionate – especially in a situation that is already very tense due to the war in Iran.”

Thousands of British travellers faced disruption, with services from major UK airports affected.

Flights to Frankfurt from Manchester Airport and London Heathrow were among those cancelled.