Chaos for Brit travellers as two European airports announce strikes

Workers at two European airports are set to strike for 24 hours, which could have "extensive effects" on travel.

Verdi trade union announced the walkout at Cologne-Bonn and Düsseldorf International airports, Germany, which will be held on Sunday 23 and Monday 24 February.

Action will begin on Sunday evening in Cologne and Monday morning in Düsseldorf as part of ongoing wage disputes for public sector employees, which the union said could have "extensive effects on passenger flights at both airports".

It comes after a second round of wage negotiations in the city of Potsdam on Tuesday ended without resolution. Verdi and the civil service union decided to expand industrial action nationwide before the next round of negotiations on March 14.

Verdi is asking for an eight percent wage increase as well as higher bonuses for particularly stressful work.

Verdi regional director Gabriele Schmidt said: "The employers' previous refusal to pay is also hitting employees at NRW airports hard.

"The often physically demanding work in all weathers is associated with high time pressure and responsibility for people and technology."

Passengers may be entitled to cancellation compensation if they have a flight departing from the EU and they have been informed less than 14 days before departure.

Co-founder of airline compensation company SkyRefund, Ivaylo Danailov, said: "If your flight is cancelled and you choose to be reimbursed, you are legally entitled to a full refund for both your cancelled flight and your return flight because you were unable to reach your destination.

"You can receive up to €600 (£520) if your flight is delayed over 3 hours or cancelled less than 14 days before departure.”

Düsseldorf International is served by London Heathrow, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Manchester and Birmingham airports.

Cologne-Bonn is served by London Stansted, London Heathrow, Bristol and Manchester.