Frankfurt (Germany), 12 March (LaPresse) – A two-day strike by Lufthansa pilots began this morning. Flight cancellations are expected, mainly at the Munich and Frankfurt hubs. However, the airline has assured passengers that at least half of the scheduled flights will operate on both days of the strike. On long-haul routes, up to 60% of flights could depart. The striking pilots' union, Vereinigung Cockpit, has acknowledged that this strike will be more limited than the first wave a month ago. Union leader Andreas Pinheiro expects around 300 flight cancellations per day. He believes that this will have a sufficient impact on the strike and that it is part of the union's strategy. During the first wave of strikes on 12 February, around 800 flights were cancelled, more than double the current number. The Ufo cabin crew union also took part in the strike on that occasion. Lufthansa has announced that it will use larger aircraft, that Lufthansa flights will be operated by airlines not involved in the strike, and that it will employ volunteer crews to compensate for the disruption caused by the strike.