Frankfurt  - German airline Lufthansa cancelled 40 flights on Friday because of a walkout by cabin crew at Frankfurt airport, an airline spokesman said.

The Independant Organization of Flight Attendants said it called the three-hour stoppage to press demands for higher pay and improved working conditions.

Lufthansa said the cancellations affected short-haul and medium- range flights.

The stoppage by 400 flight attendants began at 6:15 am and was due to end at 9:15 am.

The union, which represents 70 per cent of Lufthansa's 16,000 cabin crew, is seeking a 15-per-cent pay hike over the next 12 months. Lufthansa has offered 10 per cent, covering 14 months.

The union has refused to go along with deal for a lower pay raise agreed between the airline and another union representing cabin crew, Verdi.

On Wednesday, Lufthansa cancelled 15 flights because of a five- hour walkout by pilots of a regional partner airline, Contact Air, in a dispute over pay. (dpa)