Flight cancellations at Germany's Hamburg Airport affect more than 40,000 passengers after strike

BERLIN (AP) — Flight cancellations at Hamburg Airport after a surprise strike by workers affected more than 40,000 passengers on Sunday, a day before a planned wider protest across Germany amid new contract negotiations.

Only 10 of more than 280 scheduled flights went as planned early Sunday, the airport said. Many service desks sat empty as would-be passengers lined up to seek information about the cancellations. One big electronic departure board overhead had “canceled” in red next to the list of all flights.

The surprise walkout, which reportedly took place with only about a half-hour advance notice, came before a broader series of preannounced strikes across 13 airports in Germany on Monday, organized by the ver.di union.

The union, whose members work in areas including passenger services and cargo and goods screening, called for Sunday's strike by security control staff to put pressure on company representatives amid collective bargaining talks.

“The behavior of the trade union ver.di is dishonorable: The strike without notice hits Hamburg Airport at the start of the vacation season," airport spokeswoman Katja Bromm said in a statement. She said that on Monday, arrivals would be possible, and that “considerable disruptions and cancellations” were expected.

Bromm said that Sunday's walkouts were "excessive and unfair to tens of thousands of travelers who have nothing to do with the disputes.”

For months, ver.di has been negotiating a new agreement that aims to improve occupational health and safety, provide more vacation days, an increase in the annual bonus to 50% and the freedom to choose a doctor for employees’ regular, mandatory medical exams, among other things.

Lars Stubbe, a trade union official, said that “a strike must cause economic damage.”

“We know that it is a massive burden for passengers. Our colleagues know that too. But they have said we have to go on strike. It must be effective, so that we have a reasonable offer to negotiate,” he said.

Some would-be passengers didn't hide their frustration.

“I also wonder why it’s like this, because it was supposed to be a big strike tomorrow (Monday) — and why is it today?” said Alva Wetzel, who had hoped to travel. “It’s just stupid.”

Only a few travelers are on the move in the departure area of the terminal building at Dusseldorf Airport, Germany Monday, March 10, 2025. (Christoph Reichwein/dpa via AP)

Airport employees wearing high-visibility vests from the Verdi union stand in front of a display board in the departures area at Dusseldorf Airport, Germay with a notice about the strike Monday, March 10, 2025. (Christoph Reichwein/dpa via AP)

Travelers rest on a bench in the departure terminal at Dusseldorf Airport, Germany Monday, March 10, 2025. (Christoph Reichwein/dpa via AP)

Airport employees wearing high-visibility vests from the Verdi union stand in the departures area at Dusseldorf Airport, Germany while travelers wait for their flight under the display boards Monday, March 10, 2025. (Christoph Reichwein/dpa via AP)

Aircraft are parked at the terminal building at D'sseldorf Airport, Germany early Monday, March 10, 2025. (Christoph Reichwein/dpa via AP)

Striking members of the Verdi union stand in the departure area of the terminal building at Dusseldorf Airport, Germany Monday, March 10, 2025. (Christoph Reichwein/dpa via AP)

Police officers watch aircrafts take their parking positions at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany, Sunday, March 9, 2025, the evening before a warning strike of all major German airports. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

Police officers watch aircrafts take their parking positions at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany, Sunday, March 9, 2025, the evening before a warning strike of all major German airports. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

Police officers watch aircrafts take their parking positions at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany, Sunday, March 9, 2025, the evening before a warning strike of all major German airports. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

People queue in long lines in departure hall C at Rhine-Main Airport, Frankfurt, Germany, Sunday March 9, 2025, a day ahead of a planned strike across Germany amid new contract negotiations. (Andreas Arnold/dpa via AP)

Individuals stand in front of counters at Hamburg Airport, Germany Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Georg Wendt/dpa via AP)

A queue of people forms in front of the travel center at the main station, after all flights at Hamburg Airport are canceled due to strikes, in Hamburg, Germany, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Georg Wendt/dpa via AP)

Security checkpoints are empty at Hamburg Airport, Germany Sunday, March 9, 2025. Georg Wendt/dpa via AP)

Passengers stand in front of counters at Hamburg Airport, Germany Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Georg Wendt/dpa via AP)

An area in front of the security checkpoints is empty at Hamburg Airport, Germany Sunday, March 9, 2025. (Georg Wendt/dpa via AP)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — There were plenty of questions about how the Carolina Panthers would fare in the postseason.

They repeatedly missed opportunities down the stretch to wrap up the NFC South, only to back into the playoffs with a losing record on the final day of the regular season.

Las Vegas oddsmakers sure didn't believe in the Panthers. Carolina entered the week 200-1 longshots to win the Super Bowl — by far the lowest of any of the 14 teams in the postseason — and a 10 1/2-point home underdog to the Los Angeles Rams in Saturday's wild-card game, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

But the Panthers proved they were indeed playoff worthy — nearly pulling off a stunning upset.

“We just showed people that we aren’t the old Panthers,” cornerback Mike Jackson said.

They took the high-powered Rams to the brink of elimination before All-Pro quarterback Matthew Stafford pulled out a late 34-31 victory with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson with 38 seconds left, allowing Los Angeles to move on to the divisional playoffs and abruptly end Carolina's season.

After the game, there was a mixture of pride and pain in the locker room. But above all, there was optimism and hope.

“This is the new standard now. We're going to be a playoff team," defensive lineman and team captain Derrick Brown told his teammates.

“A lot of people didn’t give us a chance,” Jackson said. "I think the spread was something crazy. So, we just showed people who we are, and we got a lot to build on.”

The biggest question entering this season was whether Bryce Young was the right guy to lead the franchise.

The No. 1 pick in 2023 showed he doesn't lack heart, leading six winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime. He now has 12 in the past three seasons, more than anyone named Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes or even Stafford, who denied Young No. 13.

It wasn't always pretty this season for Young, but there's clearly something to build on.

He overcame an early interception Saturday and completed 21 of 40 passes for 264 yards, including a well-placed 7-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Coker with 2:39 left to put the Panthers ahead 31-27. He also fearlessly ran for a 16-yard TD.

“He just showed who he is, man,” Jackson said. “A lot of people talk about how little he is, how he can’t get it done, and it’s just like, he doesn’t listen to it. He is a silent killer, and I love that about him.”

The Panthers finished 8-10 overall, but took a big step — a year before most in and around the organization thought they would be competitive.

It might not have unfolded the way they wanted it to by losing four of five to close the season, but the Panthers snapped a seven-year playoff drought and dethroned four-time NFC South champion Tampa Bay to win their first division title in a decade.

“There is such a mix of emotions right now in the locker room, from guys being proud of what we accomplished and where we got, to being sick about the opportunity that was right there in front of us,” second-year coach Dave Canales said. “And that is going to sting.”

“I didn’t want it to end,” Young said. “It’s a super special group of guys in the locker room. I’m super proud of the way guys responded to adversity.”

There will be mistakes that will be questioned this week, too.

— Why did the Panthers appear to give the Rams receivers so much cushion on Stafford's winning drive?

— Why were they unable to advance the ball a single yard on their final drive with 38 seconds left and three timeouts remaining?

Despite it all, this will go down as a season of growth for a young team.

And the future appears bright.

“They’re really creating a beautiful culture here. Guys are bought in,” safety Nick Scott said. “Hopefully, they will continue to be here and good things will happen in the future.”

After the game, Canales said starting left tackle Ickey Ekwonu suffered a significant right knee injury in the first quarter that caused him to leave the game. The extent of the injury was not immediately known, but it's possible it could impact Ekwonu's availability for training camp.

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Carolina Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson (2) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass by Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (18) walks off the field after a loss to the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales answers questions after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) kneels on the field after a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young answers questions after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)