Strikes disrupt air travel in N. Germany

BERLIN, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Strike action by public sector employees as well as by ground and flight control staff at Germany's four major airports brought air traffic in northern part of the country to a virtual standstill on Monday.

A total of 351 flights were canceled, affecting up to 100,000 passengers, according to the German Airports Association (ADV), which criticized that the strikes were announced at short notice and thus travelers had little chance to look for alternatives.