Photo: Lufthansa The Lufthansa Group announced it will accelerate the implementation of its business strategy, which includes reducing flight volumes and retiring aircraft, amid a sharp rise in aviation fuel prices driven by the war with Iran.
According to the company's announcement, kerosene prices have more than doubled compared with the period before the conflict, and there have been additional costs due to labor disputes. In response, the group approved a package of measures that includes reducing capacity on short, medium and long-haul flights, along with accelerating the fleet renewal process.
In the first phase, 27 aircraft of the Lufthansa subsidiary CityLine will be immediately removed from the flight schedule, due to high operating costs and aircraft obsolescence. In the second phase, towards the end of the summer season, the company will reduce international flight activity by removing Airbus A340-600 aircraft from the fleet and grounding Boeing 747-400 aircraft.
Subsequently, during the 2026-2027 winter season, a further reduction in flight capacity for Lufthansa's core brand is planned, primarily on short- and medium-haul routes, as part of a broader efficiency initiative.
At the same time, the group announced the allocation of nine additional Airbus A350-900 aircraft to Discover Airlines, as part of long-term fleet planning.
The company notes that the measures are expected to lead to significant savings in fuel costs, including by removing less efficient aircraft from service and reducing overall fuel consumption. In addition, savings measures were decided in the areas of personnel and management, including a target to reduce approximately 4,000 administrative positions by 2030.
Last week, the flight attendant strike by the UFO union affected the flight schedules of Lufthansa and Lufthansa CityLine. The companies warned in advance of the possibility of disruptions and cancellations precisely during the peak hours of passengers returning from the Easter holidays. The strike was followed by two pilot strikes and a cabin crew strike.