Germany's TUIfly Cancels Almost All Flights Due to Crew Sickness

By Natascha Divac

FRANKFURT--German airline TUIfly cancelled nearly all flights Friday, as an overwhelming number of crew members called in sick in what is seen as a protest against the airline's plan to combine fleets with Air Berlin PLC (AB1.XE).

TUIfly, which is wholly owned by TUI AG (TUI1.XE) and flies to tourist destinations, said it would cancel 108 planned flights Friday due to staff illness, the latest in a series of disruptions this week.

The canceled flights include 54 from Germany and 54 return flights from various holiday destinations. To bring home vacationers, TUI has been chartering airplanes of other airlines.

The disruption follows news that TUI is in talks to explore a combination with debt-laden rival Air Berlin, which itself has announced plans to cut 1,200 jobs.

Air Berlin said Wednesday it entered talks to transfer its tourism business to main shareholder Etihad Airways PJSC (ETAIR.YY) and TUI.

Air Berlin said the deal could see 35 of its jetliner fleet combined with TUI's German unit TUIfly.

TUIfly supervisory board member Andreas Barczewski warned two weeks ago that such plans would meet strong resistance from employees fearing wage or benefit cuts.

TUIfly has faced similar disruptions over recent days, although they have been less severe. Passengers could face further disruptions in coming days, the airline said.

Write to Natascha Divac at natascha.divac@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 07, 2016 07:22 ET (11:22 GMT)

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