Lufthansa grounds 27 aircraft as rising fuel costs and labor strikes force immediate cost-cutting measures.
Lufthansa has announced a drastic reduction in its operations. The German carrier’s regional subsidiary, Lufthansa CityLine, will suspend operations of 27 older aircraft starting Saturday. This is an immediate cost-cutting move.
The airline is facing severe financial pressure. Management cited significantly increased kerosene prices and rising burdens from labor disputes. Fuel costs have more than doubled compared to the period before the Iran war.
The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted global oil markets. The blockage of the Strait of Hormuz has particularly impacted supply chains. Consequently, Lufthansa accelerated a strategy originally set for 2028.
The company stated that the aircraft are being permanently removed from the schedule. This step is necessary to stop further losses at the regional airline. Four older long-haul Airbus A340-600s will also be withdrawn from the main fleet.
Operations are currently crippled by industrial action. Pilots and cabin crew have embarked on a two-day walkout. This follows a collapsed mediation between the airline and the pilots' union, Vereinigung Cockpit.
The impact on passengers is severe. At Frankfurt Airport, 656 flights were cancelled on Thursday alone. This represents half of the planned movements at the busy hub.
The strikes have overshadowed the airline's 100th-anniversary celebrations. While low-cost carrier Eurowings expects to operate 70% of its flights, the turbulence continues for the main brand. The dispute over pension plans and working conditions remains unresolved.
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