More air travel misery in Germany as Lufthansa pilots threaten to strike again on Thursday affecting long-haul and cargo flights.

Two days of industrial action this week forced the airline to cancel nearly half of its scheduled flights.

Thursday will be the 9th stoppage this year in a dispute over an early retirement scheme.

The union said in a statement that short and medium-haul flights and those of budget carrier Germanwings would not be affected by Thursday’s action.