Lufthansa, pilots reach wage deal averting strike

German airline Lufthansa and its pilots have reached an agreement on wages, averting a planned strike, airline and trade union representatives confirmed on Tuesday, reported dpa.

Details have not been disclosed yet.

But pilots' union Cockpit has rescinded its strike call for Wednesday, a spokesman said, describing the deal as a "partial solution."

The core of an extensive package of financial and structural issues had been agreed and would continue to be developed over the next few days, he said.

The pilots' union had demanded a 5.5% increase in pay, guaranteed raises in line with inflation, a revised pay scale, and increased compensation for sick days, vacation time and training.

Ramping up the pressure ahead of last-ditch talks on Tuesday, the union had also threatened a second wave of strikes from Wednesday, which it said could only be prevented by a "serious offer" from Lufthansa.

Pilots had planned to strike at Lufthansa's core company on Wednesday and Thursday, and at the cargo subsidiary Lufthansa Cargo a day longer.

An all-day strike by Lufthansa pilots on September 2 brought most flight operations to a halt, resulting in stranded passengers, packed customer service counters and legal squabbles. Some 130,000 passengers were affected by the cancellation of more than 800 flights.

The aviation giant said the action cost it €32 million.