New Delhi, March 9 -- German trade union Verdi's surprise early walkout at Hamburg airport brought it to a halt on Sunday. According to official statements, the action led to the cancellation of 144 arrivals and 139 departures, affecting more than 40,000 passengers, cancelling over 300 flights.

Hamburg airport in Germany's second largest city. The airport authorities said the one-day strike, called over pay and conditions, began earlier than expected "without any notice."

The strike at Hamburg is the first of more than a dozen planned actions at airports across Germany on Monday, including at the country's busiest airports, Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin Brandenburg.

"The union is paralysing the airport and without notice right at the be...