More than 40,000 people have been impacted by a surprise strike that shut down Hamburg Airport, and over 500,000 could be affected today as the walkout spreads across Germany.

The strike reportedly began with just half an hour notice yesterday morning, with passengers told to stay away and terminals and check-in desks eerily quiet.

The airport said only 10 of more than 280 departures and arrivals went as planned on Sunday.

It posted on X: “Without any notice, the union #verdi has called on the services at Hamburg Airport to go on strike immediately, Sunday 9 March.

“For this reason, the airport is closed and there will be no departures or arrivals all day.”

An airport spokesperson said the action by the ver.di union was “dishonourable” and “unfair to tens of thousands of travellers who have nothing to do with the disputes”.

Travellers have been advised to contact their airline.

The disruption is set to worsen significantly today when a pre-planned strike takes place for 24 hours at 13 German airports, including Berlin, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Stuttgart, Hanover, Munich and Cologne.

More than half a million people could be affected and 3,400 flights cancelled, according to ADV, the German Airport Association.

“Germany’s air traffic will be largely shut down on Monday,” it said in a statement last week.

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The strike at Hamburg, Germany‘s second biggest city, is scheduled to continue.

Thousands of security staff who screen passengers and cargo are taking the action over pay and conditions in a new contract.

Union official Lars Stubbe said it was vital the strikes caused “economic damage” to force concessions from bosses.

“We know that it is a massive burden for passengers,” he said.

“Our colleagues know that too. But they have said we have to go on strike. It must be effective, so that we have a reasonable offer to negotiate.”