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Frankfurt, Germany: Germany’s flagship carrier Lufthansa was forced to cancel nearly 800 flights on Thursday after pilots and cabin crew staged coordinated industrial action, disrupting travel for around 100,000 passengers . The 24-hour strike began shortly after midnight on Thursday, February 12, and affected most Lufthansa-operated services, particularly at its main hubs in Frankfurt and Munich, where departure boards showed widespread cancellations throughout the day. According to multiple industry reports, Lufthansa removed approximately 800 flights from its schedule, representing more than half of its planned daily operations. The airline said the walkout caused significant disruption to both short-haul and long-haul services, including intercontinental departures. Lufthansa confirmed that about 100,000 passengers were impacted by the cancellations. The airline implemented large-scale rebooking measures, transferring travellers to partner airlines within the Lufthansa Group including Swiss, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines as well as offering rail alternatives within Germany in cooperation with Deutsche Bahn. Passengers were advised not to travel to the airport unless they had received confirmation that their flight was operating. Lufthansa also stated that customers whose flights were cancelled were eligible for full refunds or rebooking at no extra cost. Under European passenger rights rules, affected travellers may also be entitled to compensation ranging from €250 to €600, as airline staff strikes are generally not classified as extraordinary circumstances. The strike was triggered by parallel disputes involving two major unions: Vereinigung Cockpit (VC), representing pilots, over disagreements related to pension schemes and retirement benefits. UFO (Unabhängige Flugbegleiter Organisation), representing cabin crew, over job security, working conditions and collective agreements, including concerns linked to Lufthansa’s regional subsidiary operations. The strike was driven by unresolved labour disputes between staff unions and Lufthansa management, the main issues were pension benefits, job security and stalled contract negotiations. Union leaders said negotiations with Lufthansa management had stalled after months of talks, prompting the one-day walkout. Lufthansa management described the action as “disproportionate and unnecessary”, warning that the disruption would affect not only passengers but also Germany’s wider aviation network during a high-demand travel period. As of Friday, February 13, Lufthansa spokesperson confirmed that the strike had ended as scheduled, and that flight operations were largely returning to normal. No further industrial action has been announced at this stage. The airline said most services were operating according to schedule on Friday, although minor residual delays and isolated cancellations remained possible due to aircraft and crew repositioning. The disruption coincided with a busy week in Germany, with international travel demand elevated due to major events such as the Munich Security Conference and the opening of the Berlin International Film Festival, amplifying the impact on business and diplomatic travel. Lufthansa operates more than 700 aircraft and carries over 100 million passengers annually, making it one of Europe’s largest airline groups. The strike represents one of the most significant single-day disruptions to its operations in recent years.

Lufthansa Cancels 800 Flights as Pilot, Cabin Crew Strike Hits 100,000 Passengers

Aviation Today News Desk / February 13, 2026

Frankfurt, Germany: Germany’s flagship carrier Lufthansa was forced to cancel nearly 800 flights on Thursday after pilots and cabin crew […]

Airlines

Three British Airways Crew Hospitalized After Consuming Marijuana-Infused Candies

Aviation Today News Desk / February 11, 2026

London, United Kingdom: Three British Airways cabin crew members were hospitalized after consuming sweets containing a high dose of marijuana

Helicopter Crash

5 Onboard Killed In Medical Evacuation Helicopter Crash At Al-Sarra Air Base In Libya

Aviation Today News Desk / February 10, 2026

Tripoli, Libya: Five people lost their lives when a helicopter crashed near Al-Sarra Air Base, close to Kufra in southeastern

Incidents

AirAsia X Flight Makes Emergency Landing In Brisbane Following Cabin Pressure Alert

Aviation Today News Desk / February 9, 2026

Brisbane, Australia: An AirAsia X long‑haul international flight travelling from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur was forced to divert to Brisbane

Airports

Cuba Halts Jet Fuel Supply at All International Airports Until March Amid US Sanctions

Aviation Today News Desk / February 9, 2026

Havana, Cuba: Cuba is confronting an unprecedented aviation fuel crisis that threatens to disrupt civil aviation, international tourism and foreign

Aircraft Crashes

Redbird Academy C172 Aircraft Breaks Into 3 Pieces; Instructor & Trainee Pilot Injured

Aviation Today News Desk / February 9, 2026

Vijayapura, India: A private training aircraft operated by Redbird Flight Training Academy crash-landed in an open field in Karnataka’s Vijayapura

Airlines

Vietnam Airlines Achieves Record Revenue And Profit, Marking Best Year In Its History

Aviation Today News Desk / February 2, 2026

Hanoi, Vietnam: Vietnam Airlines (HVN) delivered its strongest financial performance in history in 2025, posting record annual revenue and sharply

Chiang Mai, Thailand: Two Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) pilots were killed Thursday morning when their light attack and reconnaissance aircraft crashed during a training mission in Chiang Mai province, military officials confirmed. The aircraft, a Beechcraft AT-6TH Wolverine, went down at approximately 10:20 a.m. local time in a remote training area of Chom Thong district, about 60 kilometres southwest of Chiang Mai International Airport, according to RTAF spokesperson Air Marshal Chakkrit Thammavichai. The plane was on a combat search-and-rescue (CSAR) training flight when it crashed into a forested hillside near Ban Huai Fang village, officials said. Rescue teams were alerted at 10:48 a.m. and reached the site, which was reported to be largely inaccessible by road, requiring responders to hike through rugged terrain. Upon arrival, emergency personnel found the aircraft engulfed in flames with debris scattered over a roughly 20-metre radius, and a crater reportedly formed at the impact point. The bodies of both pilots remained inside the wreckage when rescuers reached the scene. Authorities have cordoned off the crash site while investigators work to determine the underlying cause of the accident. There have been no reported civilian casualties or damage to nearby property. The RTAF has identified the two pilots as Squadron Leader Samatcha Khunmas, an instructor pilot, and Flight Officer Korawit Jenkit. Both were experienced aviators assigned to Squadron 411, Wing 41, which operates from Chiang Mai Air Base. The air force expressed “deepest condolences” to the families of the fallen pilots and pledged full support during the aftermath of the crash. The AT-6TH Wolverine is a two-seat turboprop light attack and reconnaissance aircraft manufactured by Beechcraft, a subsidiary of Textron Aviation in the United States. Thailand procured the model as part of a fleet modernization initiative, commissioning eight AT-6TH aircraft with Squadron 411, Wing 41 at Chiang Mai Air Base in September 2025. The platform supplements Thailand’s defence capabilities in roles including border surveillance, counter-narcotics operations and close air support, and is considered a key asset in the RTAF’s tactical training syllabus. Air Chief Marshal Seksan Kantha, Commander of the Royal Thai Air Force, has ordered an urgent and comprehensive investigation into the crash, appointing an aircraft accident board to analyse flight data, mechanical components and operational factors. Officials said the inquiry will follow stringent aviation safety standards to identify causal factors and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Aircraft Crashes

Royal Thai Air Force Training Aircraft Crashes In Chiang Mai, Two Pilots Killed

Aviation Today News Desk / January 31, 2026

Chiang Mai, Thailand: Two Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) pilots were killed Thursday morning when their light attack and reconnaissance

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Global aviation operations have been significantly disrupted this week as a number of major carriers suspend or cancel flights to and from Israel and several key Gulf destinations, citing escalating geopolitical risks and heightened regional instability. Airlines including KLM, Air France, Lufthansa and British Airways have announced cancellations or temporary suspensions of services to critical hubs such as Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion Airport), Dubai and Riyadh, as well as broader route adjustments across the Middle East. The moves come amid intensifying security concerns related to rising tensions between the United States and Iran, and ongoing conflict dynamics in the region. Air France has temporarily halted flights between Paris and Dubai, stating that “due to the current situation in the Middle East,” the airline will suspend service to the UAE emirate for the time being. Dutch carrier KLM has paused flights not only to Tel Aviv but also to Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam (Saudi Arabia) while avoiding overflight of airspace above Iran, Iraq and several neighboring countries as a precaution. Lufthansa Group and British Airways have similarly scaled back operations to the region, with suspensions and cancellations affecting multiple daily services. The disruptions are reported to extend beyond European carriers, reflecting a broader industry response to the perceived security risks associated with the volatile geopolitical environment. These recent cancellations follow a broader pattern of flight suspensions and diversions that have periodically impacted Middle East routes throughout 2025 as regional tensions escalated. In past flare-ups, carriers such as Emirates, flydubai, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia also halted services to destinations including Iran, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon due to airspace closures and safety concerns. Aviation industry analysts warn that these cancellations could have considerable knock-on effects for global travel and logistics networks. Passengers with upcoming itineraries to the affected regions are being urged to check flight statuses directly with airlines and to contact carriers promptly for rebooking or refund options where applicable. In related developments from prior months, international carriers had earlier extended or re-imposed suspensions for flights to and from Tel Aviv due to direct threats on airspace infrastructure. Airlines and aviation authorities emphasize that passenger and crew safety remain the top priorities guiding route decisions.

Airlines

Major Airlines Cancel Israel, Dubai & Riyadh Flights Amid Rising Middle East Tensions

Aviation Today News Desk / January 24, 2026

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Global aviation operations have been significantly disrupted this week as a number of major carriers suspend

Lanzhou, China: A Russian-registered passenger aircraft made a precautionary emergency landing at Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport in northwest China on Friday afternoon after declaring a distress situation while transiting Chinese airspace, Chinese authorities and international sources reported. The Azur Air flight ZF2998, operated by a Boeing 757-200, was en route from Phuket International Airport in Thailand to Barnaul, Russia when the crew activated the transponder code 7700, the internationally recognized signal for a flight emergency. According to airport and media reports, the aircraft circled near Lanzhou and conducted precautionary fuel jettisoning before safely touching down at 4:51 p.m. local time on January 23. All people onboard 239 passengers and seven crew members, totaling 246 individuals disembarked without injury, authorities said. Following the landing, airport officials confirmed that regular departure and arrival operations were maintained without disruption. Passengers have since been transported to accommodation in Lanzhou as part of post-flight arrangements by airport and airline representatives. Initial reports from state and international outlets indicate the emergency diversion was linked to a malfunction in the aircraft’s right engine, prompting the crew’s decision to divert for safety reasons. Specialists are expected to conduct detailed technical inspections of the airframe and propulsion systems. A spokesperson for the airline told media that the aircraft’s technical condition will be evaluated thoroughly to determine the precise cause of the in-flight emergency. A transponder code of 7700 is used globally to signal an aircraft is experiencing a serious in-flight emergency requiring immediate coordination with air traffic control and priority handling. Aviation safety experts note that diversion under such conditions is a routine but critical response to ensure passenger and crew safety.

Incidents

Azur Air Flight Boeing 757 Makes Emergency Landing In Lanzhou After Mid-Air Alert

Aviation Today News Desk / January 24, 2026

Lanzhou, China: A Russian-registered passenger aircraft made a precautionary emergency landing at Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport in northwest China on

Aviation Today

Lufthansa Cancels 800 Flights as Pilot, Cabin Crew Strike Hits 100,000 Passengers

Three British Airways Crew Hospitalized After Consuming Marijuana-Infused Candies

5 Onboard Killed In Medical Evacuation Helicopter Crash At Al-Sarra Air Base In Libya

AirAsia X Flight Makes Emergency Landing In Brisbane Following Cabin Pressure Alert

Cuba Halts Jet Fuel Supply at All International Airports Until March Amid US Sanctions

Redbird Academy C172 Aircraft Breaks Into 3 Pieces; Instructor & Trainee Pilot Injured

Royal Thai Air Force Training Aircraft Crashes In Chiang Mai, Two Pilots Killed

Major Airlines Cancel Israel, Dubai & Riyadh Flights Amid Rising Middle East Tensions

Azur Air Flight Boeing 757 Makes Emergency Landing In Lanzhou After Mid-Air Alert

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