The Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT) is taking part in the ITB Berlin, the world’s leading travel show located at the Messe Convention Center in Berlin, Germany.

Ground staff strikes at two Berlin airports on Friday forced airline operations to cancel 659 flights, according to official statements.

Some 2,000 employees have been convoked to follow a 25-hour strike from 4:00 am local time (3.00 am GMT) Friday by the services sector trade union Ver.di in demand of better wages.

The strikes were to take place at the capital’s Tegel and Schönefeld airports.

The industrial action was to have a considerable impact on participants of Berlin’s ITB, Germany’s largest tourism fair, which was due on Friday to celebrate its last professionals-only day; the 2017 edition registered some 10,000 exhibitors from 180 countries and has attracted around 100,000 visitors.

Ver.di demands a salary increase of 1 euro per hour, from 11 to 12 euros, for the two Berlin airport’s ground staff due to the heavy workload they must bear.

On the other hand, the employers have offered, to date, a 27 cents increase per hour, alleging the difficult market situation both Berlin airports are experiencing prevented a more substantial increase.

Since the Berlin airport’s handling was privatized a decade ago, this sector has become increasingly competitive while salaries have dropped.

Last Feb., a series of warning strikes took place which provoked some delays and, according to the “Tagesspiegel” daily, the trade union is now considering further strikes next week. (EFE) with additional reporting by The Costa Rica Star