Lufthansa Group is estimating it will have to cancel another 2,000 flights – affecting around 200,000 passengers – if unions go ahead with a threatened two-day strike this week.

The airline is still in negotiations with trade union officials over pay for 25,000 check-in, aircraft handling, maintenance and freight staff.

But if the talks fail, staff are threatening to walk out at 4am on Thursday until 7:10am on Saturday. Previous strikes by Lufthansa ground staff have forced the airline to cancel up to 90% of its flights. 

The latest strike could coincide with a threatened two-day strike by Deutsche Bahn train drivers, due to begin at 2am on Thursday for 36 hours.

Any disruption to Germany’s rail service could affect visitors attending the last day of the international travel show, ITB in Berlin on Thursday.