A provisional wage agreement covering around 25,000 aviation security workers at Germany’s commercial airports would raise hourly pay in two stages from January 2027. The deal gives security contractors greater certainty over labour costs through 2028, although employers warned that the increases would put pressure on operating budgets.

Germany’s association of aviation security companies, BDLS, reached the agreement with the trade unions ver.di and dbb beamtenbund und tarifunion on 10 November 2026, following four rounds of negotiations. The 24-month deal provides for a 3.6% rise in hourly pay on 1 January 2027 and a further 3.3% on 1 January 2028. Most security screening at Germany’s commercial airports is carried out by private contractors. The agreement covers staff working in passenger screening, personnel and goods checks, air cargo and other airport security functions.

Under the agreement, the basic hourly rate for passenger screening staff would reach €26.75 in 2028. BDLS lead negotiator Christian Huber described the increases as a significant cost burden but welcomed the two-year planning horizon and the fact that the talks concluded without strikes. The deal remains subject to formal acceptance by the parties, with a deadline of 20 November 2026.