A strike by security staff at the Frankfurt Germany airport caused nearly 50 flight cancellations and delayed thousands of passengers.

Trade union Verdi had called on around 5,000 staff who carry out security checks on passengers, baggage and freight at the airport to strike for the entire day to push for their pay to be brought into line with counterparts at other German airports, said Reuters.

Almost 50 flights were cancelled, with Lufthansa scrapping nearly 40 but the biggest problem was getting people through check-in and thinly-staffed security, airport operator Fraport said.

At around 1330 GMT, Fraport halted security checks and advised people not to travel to the airport. It said those already there should ask airlines about train tickets or hotel rooms for the night, said Reuters.

The strike was called after four rounds of pay talks between Verdi and employers' association BDSW, which represents around 185,000 security staff who work for private companies, ended without agreement. The next round of talks is due on March 5, Reuters said.