Cabin crew with Lufthansa’s low-cost subsidiary Germanwings began a 72-hour strike at midnight local time on December 29. The action, which has caused the cancellation of around 180 flights, is due to end at midnight on January 1.

According to leaders of German cabin crew union UFO, the strike action is the result of failed talks to agree on an arbitration process to resolve a dispute over opportunities for part-time work. This follows more widespread strike action by Lufthansa group cabin crew in November, which caused the cancellation of around 1,300 flights. This week’s action is also disrupting operations of 30 aircraft operated by Germanwings on behalf of fellow Lufthansa subsidiary Eurowings.

Over the weekend, UFO leaders warned Lufthansa’s management that they plan further strike action in January. This week's flight cancellations have mainly affected departures out of Cologne-Bonn, Munich, Hamburg, and Berlin-Tegel airports in Germany.