A major strike by ground workers at Germany's most important airport is expected to disrupt or lead to the cancellation of hundreds of flights on Thursday. However, officials at the Frankfurt Airport say they are taking steps to ensure that intercontinental flights to North America and other destinations are not affected by the work stoppage.

Roughly 200 ground workers at Germany's largest international hub, the Frankfurt Airport, are expected to go on strike Thursday afternoon, and at least 100 flights have already been cancelled.

However, airport operator Fraport and Lufthansa, the airline with the most flights to and from Frankfurt, said intercontinental flights are not expected to be as affected by the strike as those to destinations in other parts of Germany and Europe.

None of Lufthansa's intercontinental flights have been cancelled Thursday, a company spokesperson said. The airport is making efforts to shield international passengers from the labor action.

"We will try to keep the intercontinental connections going," Fraport spokesman Mike Schweitzer told Spiegel Online. Historically when there are labor disputes, planes with overseas destinations have been given priority, he said.