Berlin Airport Faces Shutdown as Union Escalates Pay Dispute

Berlin Brandenburg Airport is facing a complete shutdown Wednesday as a planned labor strike led to flight cancellations across the board and disrupted plans for more than 50,000 travelers.

No regular passenger services operate today after the union Verdi called on airport employees to stage a warning strike as it seeks higher wages. About 445 takeoffs and landings, carrying about 57,000 passengers, were scheduled for the day, the airport said in a statement.