German airport staff kick off countrywide strikes

BERLIN, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Aviation security staff in Germany kicked off a countrywide wave of strikes on Thursday, bringing operations at Dusseldorf, Hamburg, and Cologne/Bonn airports to a virtual standstill.

At least 100,000 travelers have been affected by the cancellation of 700 flights, according to the German Airports Association (ADV). "This is bitter news for all air travelers," ADV CEO Ralph Beisel to