German airline Lufthansa has confirmed 425,000 passengers will be affected by this week’s three-day strike by pilots over pay and working conditions.
The strikes have resulted in Lufthansa cancelling about 3,800 flights on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
During the three-day walkout by the pilot’s union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) only about 500 Lufthansa and long haul flights will be operated.
The carrier said if the strikes go ahead it will result in “one of the biggest walkouts in its history”.
Lufthansa added it would inform passengers via text message or email about the flight changes.
The airline said in a statement: "The announcement alone has already caused significant damages since passengers have already rebooked flights and logistic customers have made arrangements with other cargo airlines to secure the transport of their goods.
The group confirmed pilots at its other airlines, including Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines, Eurowings, Lufthansa CityLine and Air Dolomiti, would not take part in the strike.
Lufthansa added that where possible, these airlines would "use larger planes on routes from and to Germany in order to bring as many rebooked Lufthansa passengers as possible to their destinations".
Last week Lufthansa cancelled around 600 flights due to strike action by ground staff, baggage handlers and maintenance workers.
Lufthansa.com