BERLIN, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) halted all flight operations on Wednesday after trade union Verdi called a strike over an ongoing pay dispute.

A total of 445 departures and arrivals were cancelled, disrupting travel for around 57,000 passengers during the day-long walkout beginning at 6 a.m. (0500 GMT).

German news agency dpa reported that some disruption was likely to continue on Thursday, although BER was due to resume normal operations at that time.

A spokesperson for the Berlin-Brandenburg Business Associations said the suspension of flight operations would cost the capital region millions of euros. Airlines, ground handlers, security companies and other businesses at the airport are facing direct revenue losses, while the disruption is also hitting tourism and hospitality and affecting supply chains that depend on air freight.

Verdi called on around 2,000 employees of the BER operator FBB to join the strike, including staff in the fire service, traffic control and terminal management.

The union is seeking higher pay for BER employees under a proposed 12-month agreement. It is calling for a six percent wage increase, with a minimum monthly rise of 250 euros (about 287.5 U.S. dollars), as well as an additional day off for union members.

However, FBB head Aletta von Massenbach called the strike disproportionate, "especially given the already tense situation due to the ongoing war in Iran." ■