DÜSSELDORF (dpa-AFX) - A warning strike by security staff has led to long queues and flight cancellations at Düsseldorf Airport. The Verdi trade union had not announced the strike, which began on Thursday night, in advance as is usually the case - as a result, the airport and the two security companies responsible did not have time to sufficiently compensate for the staff shortages with other employees. The airport concourse was very full in the morning, but later the crowds thinned out somewhat. As a result of the walkout, 13 of the approximately 320 flight movements on Thursday were canceled or aircraft were diverted. According to the airport, the waiting time at the security gates, which continued to operate in emergency mode, was sometimes an hour or even more.

The head of Düsseldorf Airport, Lars Redeligx, criticized Verdi's actions as "irresponsible". "This action is deliberately aimed at damaging our airport and our passengers," he said. Verdi trade union secretary Özay Tarim rejected this criticism. It is true that strike action has generally been announced two days in advance. However, the airport operator had used this time to fill the gaps with its own staff, thereby significantly weakening the impact of the strike.

The strike began in Düsseldorf early on Thursday morning and was supposed to be over by midnight. There was also industrial action in Koln/Bonn on Thursday, but according to Verdi this only affected personnel, goods and freight control. Employees at the passenger security checkpoints were on duty as normal./cd/DP/mis