Berlin  - The German air pilot union Cockpit called out its members flying the aircraft of three carriers on surprise token strikes early Wednesday, delaying hundreds of passengers.

Pilots at Eurowings, Germanwings and Lufthansa-CityLine stopped working from 8 am at airports across the country, including the main hub at Frankfurt.

Cockpit, which has around 8,200 members with German airlines, has rejected pay offers made by the three airlines targeted. (dpa)