Hamburg, Germany’s second largest city, announced the cancellation of all flights on Sunday due to a one-day strike initiated by ground staff. The strike, organized by a labor union, began earlier than expected and without notice, leading to the disruption of air travel services.

With an expected passengers count of over 40,000 on Sunday, including 144 arrival and 139 departure flights, only 10 flights took place before the strike commenced at 6:30 a.m. local time. Passengers affected by the strike were advised to contact their respective airlines for assistance, as stated by Hamburg Airport. The labor union Verdi responsible for the strike did not provide any prior notice, causing significant disruptions during a busy holiday season.

Katja Bromm, head of communications at the airport, expressed her concern about the union’s actions, stating that the strike without notice is crippling the airport’s operations right at the beginning of Hamburg’s spring break. The airport primarily serves destinations within Europe.

The labor union, Verdi, which represents public-sector service workers, has not responded to any requests for comment regarding the strike.

Initially planned to commence on Sunday evening and continue through Monday, the strike at Hamburg Airport was one among several strikes scheduled to take place at around a dozen German airports on Monday. This includes major airports like Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin Brandenburg.

Approximately 510,000 individuals will be affected by the strike on Monday, resulting in over 3,400 canceled flights. A.D.V., the association of Germany’s airport operators, has estimated the impact of the strikes, which mark an escalation following walkouts organized by Verdi in February.

In a statement released on Saturday, Verdi highlighted the purpose of the strikes as exerting pressure on employers to address stalled collective bargaining discussions and improve working conditions for over 25,000 employees in the aviation security sector. The union’s demands include an increase in vacation days, additional benefits for shift work, and a higher annual bonus.

The strikes coincide with an economic crisis in Germany, traditionally considered Europe’s powerhouse. The country experienced a slight economic contraction last year and has faced challenges in recovering from the pandemic compared to its European counterparts and the United States.

In a recent parliamentary election, the centrist conservative Christian Democrats secured the most votes. This was seen as a rebuke to the left-leaning government for their handling of the economy and immigration issues.