The Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) pilots' union has announced a 48-hour strike at Lufthansa, starting from 00:01 CET on April 13 until 23:59 CET on April 14, following unsuccessful negotiations over pension schemes. The strike will impact Lufthansa, Lufthansa Cargo, and Lufthansa CityLine, but 13 Middle Eastern destinations will be exempt due to humanitarian concerns amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. VC President Andreas Pinheiro expressed frustration over the airline's lack of serious offers, stating that the union felt compelled to act after several unsuccessful bargaining attempts. Lufthansa responded by labeling the union's demands as 'absurd', particularly the request to double its already generous pension scheme. This strike adds to a challenging year for Lufthansa, which has faced multiple disruptions, including a recent cabin crew strike that resulted in a 90% cancellation of flights during the busy Easter holiday. Earlier strikes have already grounded thousands of flights, affecting around 100,000 passengers. As the airline navigates these challenges, it continues to deal with the broader effects of geopolitical instability, particularly relating to the conflict in the Middle East.