Lufthansa Group. Photo: Lufthansa Lufthansa Group ends the third quarter with a record of €11.2 billion, an improvement of €300 million compared to the first nine months of last year.
Management described last summer as "the strongest operational summer season in the last decade", with a 10-point improvement in flight punctuality and 99% schedule regularity. The operational improvement significantly reduced costs related to flight disruptions, resulting in savings of over €200 million compared to the previous year.
Passenger and employee satisfaction also recorded a significant increase, alongside cost savings resulting from Lufthansa Airlines' efficiency program. Falling oil prices and a weak dollar exchange rate also contributed to reducing costs.
Operating profit in the quarter remained stable at €1.3 billion, similar to the same period last year. In the first nine months of the year, operating profits amounted to €1.5 billion, a boost of €300 million compared to the previous year.
In the passenger segment, approximately 42 million passengers flew with the aviation group in the quarter, a 5% increase from last year. The average load factor was 87.5%, and revenue from the passenger division amounted to €8.9 billion. In the first nine months of the year, the division recorded an increase in operating profit to €914 million, mainly thanks to lower fuel costs, the elimination of strike effects, and successful capital investments.
The cargo division, Lufthansa Cargo, continued its growth trend with an operating profit of €49 million. In contrast, Lufthansa Technik (the aircraft maintenance division) recorded a decline of approximately 19% to a profit of €130 million, partly due to tariff and exchange rate effects.
On the financial front, adjusted free cash flow amounted to €1.8 billion in the first nine months, almost double the figure for the same period last year. Net debt fell to €5.1 billion, and liquidity increased to €11.9 billion.
Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, Lufthansa sees stable demand in all areas of activity, especially in luxury flights. The group confirms its forecast for significant growth in annual profit compared to 2024, and expects investments of up to €3.3 billion in the aircraft fleet as part of the continued renewal.
Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Board of Management and CEO of the Lufthansa Group: "Together with product upgrades, digital innovations, and improved services, passenger satisfaction has increased significantly. Employee satisfaction is also at an all-time high, which supports continued efficiency and profitability growth in 2025."
Chief Financial Officer Till Streichert concluded that, despite the relatively weak demand, the group stayed on track, confirming its profitability forecast for 2025. With the fourth quarter ahead, the company is "confident" it will achieve the year's growth plan by consistently implementing its efficiency plan.