Air travellers in Germany could face chaos this week after air traffic controllers at Frankfurt airport said Wednesday they would stage temporary walkouts in a bitter dispute over pay.
GdF, the German union for air traffic controllers, said 200 so-called "apron control" staff -- those in charge of directing aircraft in and out of their parking positions -- would halt work between 3:00 pm and 10:00 pm (1400-2100 GMT) on Thursday.
The strike could effectively paralyse Germany's largest airport and Europe's third-largest hub.
GdF made its announcement after Fraport, the company which owns and operates the airport, turned down mediation proposals in their wage dispute.
The union argues that apron controllers' pay does not take into account the additional complexity resulting from the opening late last year of a fourth runway in Frankfurt.