U.S, March 10 -- At a time when global aviation is already strained by war, government shutdowns, and massive passenger backlogs, Germany's flagship carrier Lufthansa is moving ahead with a two-day pilot strike this week-raising questions about solidarity within the airline industry during one of the most chaotic travel periods in recent years.

The strike, called by the Vereinigung Cockpit pilots' union, will begin Thursday and last 48 hours, affecting passenger and cargo flights departing from German airports. The dispute centers on pensions and labor conditions after months of failed negotiations between pilots and the airline.

While the union says it would have preferred to avoid escalation, it claims Lufthansa has failed to present ...