German airline Lufthansa has cancelled 50 long-haul flights today due to a 15-hour pilot walkout.
The industrial action started this morning at Frankfurt airport at 0600 and until 2100 local time.
The news comes just hours after Air France pilots this morning called off their two-week strike protesting plans to transfer jobs to Transavia, although an agreement has yet to be reached.
The Lufthansa strike has been called by the Vereinigung Cockpit union, which is protesting plans to change the current scheme that sees pilots retire at 55 and retain some of their pay until they reach the state pension age.
The frequent strike action by Lufthansa and Air France pilots is the result of the long-established carriers clashing with unions as they try to cut costs to compete with budget airlines.
Lufthansa said in a statement today: "The continuing strikes by Vereinigung Cockpit cause damage with unforeseeable consequences for all 120,000 employees, including the pilots."
Earlier this month Lufthansa pilots held an eight-hour strike – the fourth one within three weeks.
Lufthansa.com