Lufthansa’s pilots have voted in favor of industrial action, provoking further disruption during the busy summer travel season. There is a possibility of a pilot strike.

The vote does not necessarily mean a strike. Still, it signaled to the employer that it had to take constructive steps, pilot’s union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) board member Marcel Groels commented.

“We now need a modern and fair internationally competitive remuneration structure in all occupational groups. This favorable ballot does not yet necessarily lead to strike action. But it is an unmistakable signal to Lufthansa to take the needs of cockpit staff seriously, “he added.

Pilots’ union VC demands a 5.5% pay rise this year for its pilots and automatic inflation compensation. It also wants a uniform pay structure for all staff at the Lufthansa group’s airlines, including flagship carrier Lufthansa and budget unit Eurowings.

Lufthansa was already rocked by strike action by its ground staff on Wednesday, forcing the carrier to cancel more than 1,000 flights.