The German pilot trade union “Vereinigung Cockpit” (VC) has called for a 48-hour strike by pilots at Lufthansa on Thursday and Friday, threatening hundreds of flight cancellations.

According to the union’s announcement issued on Wednesday, more than 5,000 pilots are expected to take part in the walkout.

Flights departing from Germany operated by Lufthansa’s core airline, its cargo unit Lufthansa Cargo, and regional carrier Lufthansa CityLine could be affected.

Flights to destinations in the Middle East will not be targeted by the strike, citing the tense situation in the region, the union said.

The strike marks the second wave of industrial action in the current labour dispute.

A one-day strike in February forced the cancellation of more than 800 flights and affected around 100,000 passengers.

According to the union, negotiations with Lufthansa over occupational pension arrangements have so far failed to produce a negotiable offer. (Xinhua/NAN)