Lufthansa strike extended, snarls 345,000 fliers

A pilot strike snarled flights at German carrier Lufthansa for the third consecutive day on Friday.

The strike by the Cockpit union began on Wednesday, with the pilot group extending its walk-out amid rising tensions with the carrier. Lufthansa has now canceled 2,863 flights since Wednesday, forcing about 345,000 passengers to come up with alternate plans, according to the airline.

The strike initially was planned as a 24-hour stoppage, but Cockpit has now extended its strike at least through Saturday.

Lufthansa canceled 830 short- and medium-haul flights on Friday and 137 long-haul flights on Saturday.

While Saturday’s disruption was not expected to be as widespread – most of the airline’s German and European routes were likely to operate – the canceled long-haul flights include the carrier's most prestigious and lucrative routes, including those to the United States.

The strike, part of a long-running pay dispute with management, is at least the 14th to be staged by the Cockpit union since April 2014, according to The Associated Press.

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