BERLIN – A union representing Lufthansa pilots has called a one-day ****** at the German *******’s short-haul and middle-distance operations on Wednesday – the latest in a string of walkouts.

The Vereinigung Cockpit union has hit various Lufthansa units with around a dozen short-term walkouts over recent months. The dispute centres on the *******’s plans to cut transition payments for pilots wanting to retire early, which the union wants to see maintained.

The union announced the latest ****** on Monday night, saying that talks last week failed to make any progress. It said Lufthansa’s lower-cost Germanwings and Eurowings units won’t be affected.

Traditional national carriers such as Germany’s biggest ******* are being squeezed both by European budget carriers and major Gulf airlines. Lufthansa has announced plans to launch budget long-haul services.