This morning, Lufthansa and its subsidiary Eurowings experienced a group-wide failure of the IT systems, which led to delays and flight cancellations.

The IT failure at Lufthansa meant that airports no longer had the necessary data to check in passengers or board the plane. The group confirmed the disturbances. "For this reason, delays in handling and also influences on flight operations must be expected," said Lufthansa. The cause of the failure was apparently damaged fiber optic cables, which were severed by an excavator during construction work in Frankfurt am Main. Passengers affected by the cancellations have been asked to check the status of their flight online. The AUA mother canceled domestic German flights and recommended switching to the train. The FAZ reports.

At Austrian Airlines, the effects are currently still minor, flights to Frankfurt are currently being temporarily suspended, and there may be delays on individual other flights. According to Lufthansa, apart from Eurowings, no other subsidiary airlines are affected.

Frankfurt Airport particularly affected

Frankfurt Airport was hardest hit. German air traffic control no longer directs planes to Frankfurt to prevent the hub from filling up. The machines are diverted to other airports such as Nuremberg, Cologne and Düsseldorf. International flights are also affected by the landing ban, meaning that many transfer passengers miss their connections. The second major Lufthansa hub in Munich has not yet been blocked by air traffic control. If the problems last longer, it could also be possible, according to the ORF.

Frankfurt Airport will also be affected on Friday because the Verdi union has already announced a strike for that day. There is a risk of further delays and flight cancellations. The tariff dispute in the public sector is to be extended to several airports. Frankfurt Airport strongly advises passengers not to appear at the airport on Friday. The operating company Fraport announced that it would not be possible to catch a plane in Frankfurt. Transfer traffic is also expected to be affected and will not be processed. A good 1.000 take-offs and landings with around 137.000 passengers were planned for Friday at Germany's largest airport. Only limited air traffic can be maintained within the framework of emergency service agreements.