Berlin cancels all flights on 18 March as strike shuts down BER

Berlin Brandenburg Airport has cancelled all regular arrivals and departures scheduled for Wednesday, 18 March 2026. The airport said it will not be able to maintain normal flight operations because part of its workforce is set to go on strike.

In its notices for this type of disruption, BER says the suspension covers the full regular schedule for the day. Passengers are advised to contact their airline or tour operator directly for rebooking and onward travel options. The airport has also informed its operating partners, including airlines, ground handlers, security firms and on-site retail tenants.

The impact will be felt in western Poland

For travellers in western Poland, the shutdown of BER creates an immediate problem. Berlin airport is widely used as an alternative to airports in Szczecin, Poznań or Zielona Góra, especially for routes served by low-cost carriers and network airlines.

Passengers travelling between Warsaw and Berlin should also expect disruption. LOT’s service is one of BER’s established links to Central Europe. In 2025, the airport said the Polish carrier was offering up to 20 flights a week on the Warsaw route.

What the disruption means

BER’s wording for the 18 March shutdown refers to all regular flights. That points to a full-day stoppage affecting both departures and arrivals, not a limited set of rotations or selected airlines. The airport has used the same scope in past cases when major operational disruptions forced it to suspend regular traffic.

Irish broadcaster RTE, citing the airport, also reported that no flights would operate at BER on Wednesday, 18 March, because airport staff were striking in a pay dispute.

What passengers should do now

The safest step is to check the booking directly with the airline. LOT says on its website that when a flight is cancelled, passengers should review the updated schedule and available refund or rebooking options.

For travellers in Poland, that means looking at alternatives straight away: other German airports, departures from Warsaw or rail options on the Polish side of the border. For business trips planned for Wednesday, the change of plan needs to happen now because the disruption covers BER’s full operating day.