Company CEO Carsten Spohr is preparing for events in Frankfurt and beyond, even as rising fuel costs linked to the Iran war are weighing on the airline’s outlook.
The company is celebrating the origins of Deutsche Luft Hansa AG, whose first scheduled flight took off from Berlin Tempelhof Airport for Zurich on April 6, 1926. The anniversary includes the opening of a new visitor centre, “Hangar One”, at Lufthansa’s Frankfurt headquarters, which displays early aviation history.
The modern Lufthansa has also acknowledged its full historical legacy, including ties to the Nazi era, when the company was integrated into state structures and relied on forced labour.
Today’s airline, relaunched in 1955, has grown into a global aviation group and co-founded the Star Alliance group of airlines. As an operator, the brand now also includes carriers such as Swiss, Austrian and Brussels Airlines.
Despite revenues rising to €39.6 billion ($45.7 billion), profitability weakened due to lower net income and investor concerns. A restructuring program is underway, which includes plans to cut around 4,000 jobs.
The outlook remains uncertain. The Iran conflict has driven up fuel costs and threatened demand, while potential strikes and broader economic pressures could further challenge airlines in the coming months.
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