German Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer is to gather politicians and aviation business figures in a bid to take on some of the industry's woes on Friday.

Covering German and international air travel, participants at the conference in the northern port city of Hamburg are looking for solutions to the growing number of delays and cancellations.

Among the reasons for the travel chaos are ageing infrastructure, the bankruptcy of airlines such as Air Berlin and most recently Primera Air, and strikes in a number of European countries. An increase in storms is also causing problems for the industry.

In a draft proposal seen by dpa ahead of Friday's meeting, the government set out plans to shift short-haul flights to the country's railways. The government also wants to improve transport connections to important international airports.

Following a wave of industrial action against budget airline Ryanair, the German union Verdi called on the government to take decisive action ahead of Friday's meeting.

‘On several levels Ryanair does not abide by the rules of the game in Germany,’ Verdi board member Christine Behle said.

 A joint declaration of intentions is expected at the the end of the two-hour meeting, set to kick off at 10 am (0800 GMT).

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