High global demand for air travel has led to a “significant increase” in passenger numbers at Lufthansa Group’s passenger airlines.
Between January and June, the airlines attracted 55 million travellers, an increase of 30% compared with the same period in 2022, the company said in its financial results.
Carsten Spohr, CEO Lufthansa Group, paid tribute to staff who he said had enabled the group to “avoid a situation like last summer and once again offer our customers a more stable operation”.
He said: “Whether on the ground, in the cockpit, in the cabin or in our maintenance hangars, it was our employees worldwide who made reliable flight operations and the financially best second quarter in our history possible.
“Thus, our clear focus on stability has proven to be the right choice for our customers, our employees and our shareholders. Besides that, we have sharpened our strategic focus with agreements on the sale of LSG Group and AirPlus as well as the agreement to acquire ITA.”
Record Lufthansa Group profits
In the second quarter alone, 33.3 million passengers flew with the group’s airlines, corresponding to 84% of the pre-COVID 2019 level.
- The adjusted EBIT in the second quarter soared to a record €1.1bn ($1.2bn). Lufthansa Group expects the adjusted EBIT for the whole of 2023 of at least €2.6bn.
Spohr added: “Our outlook indicates a continued positive development for customers, employees and shareholders: The specified profit forecast clearly shows that we are well on track to achieve the capital market targets we have set ourselves for the medium term.
“This enables us to make the planned investments in premium quality for our customers. The simultaneous continuation of our recruitment campaign with more than 1,000 new hires per month also creates new prospects for our employees.
“And last but not least, there is a special outlook for our Lufthansa long-haul fleet. Two more A380s will return to scheduled service this year, with more to follow along with new Boeing 787s and Airbus A350s in the coming year, into which we look with great optimism.”
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