Lufthansa Group Expects a New Aircraft Delivery Every 2 Weeks in 2025

The Lufthansa Group has announced a year of contrasting fortunes, marked by record-breaking revenue and significant operational challenges.

While the airline giant celebrated its strongest financial year in history, it also grappled with delayed aircraft deliveries, strikes, and increased costs, impacting its overall profitability.  

2024: Revenue Records and Profit Pressures

For the full year 2024, the Lufthansa Group reported a remarkable EUR 37.6 billion in revenue, a 6% increase from the previous year. This historic achievement underscores the enduring demand for air travel and the Group’s strong market position.

Fueling this surge was a record-breaking passenger load factor of 83.1%, indicating near-capacity flights. Over 130 million passengers chose Lufthansa Group airlines, a testament to the company’s global reach and customer loyalty.

However, this revenue triumph was tempered by a decline in operating profit (Adjusted EBIT). Standing at EUR 1.6 billion, this is down from EUR 2.7 billion in 2023. This resulted in an operating margin of 4.4%, a decrease from 7.6% the previous year.  

Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, acknowledged the year’s complexities. “2024 was a year of two halves for the Lufthansa Group,” he stated.

“In the first six months, we still had to cope with a significant decline in operating profit – due, among other things, to strikes, delayed aircraft deliveries and operational challenges at our hubs.”  

Passenger Growth and Operational Headwinds

The Lufthansa Group airlines, including Lufthansa, SWISS, Eurowings, Brussels Airlines, and Austrian Airlines, saw a 7% increase in passenger numbers.

This growth, coupled with the record load factor, highlights the sustained demand for air travel. The summer months, particularly July and August, witnessed near-perfect occupancy, showcasing the peak travel season’s strength.  

Despite the passenger surge, the Group’s passenger airlines generated an Adjusted EBIT of EUR 1.0 billion, a significant drop from EUR 2.0 billion in the previous year.

This decline was primarily attributed to Lufthansa Airlines, which experienced a EUR 948 million decrease in earnings.

Delayed aircraft deliveries forced the airline to operate older, less efficient aircraft, leading to higher maintenance and fuel costs. Furthermore, increased compensation for flight irregularities and rising personnel costs further strained profitability.  

Bright Spots Amidst Challenges: SWISS, Eurowings, and Cargo

While Lufthansa Airlines faced headwinds, other Group members delivered strong performances. SWISS nearly matched its record result from the previous year, exceeding EUR 800 million in Adjusted EBIT for the second time.

Eurowings maintained its strong performance, posting over EUR 200 million in Adjusted EBIT. Brussels Airlines achieved its highest profit in history at EUR 60 million, and Austrian Airlines reported an Adjusted EBIT of EUR 76 million.  

Lufthansa Cargo also contributed positively to the Group’s results. The airfreight business, benefiting from strong e-commerce demand from Asia.

It generated an operating profit of EUR 251 million, a notable improvement from the previous year. This recovery was driven by effective cost management and the ability to shift capacity to high-demand routes.  

Looking Ahead

For 2025, the Lufthansa Group anticipates continued strong demand for air travel and expects to see a “significantly higher” Adjusted EBIT compared to 2024. However, the company acknowledges that challenges such as aircraft delivery delays and cost pressures will persist.  

“This year, we expect moderate capacity growth of around 4 percent,” said Till Streichert, Chief Financial Officer of Deutsche Lufthansa AG. “This will help to support our revenue growth, secure valuable market shares, stabilise our earnings and further improve our operations.”  

The Group is embarking on a major fleet modernization program, with plans to take delivery of a new, highly efficient aircraft every two weeks. This initiative, involving around 250 aircraft, including 100 long-haul planes, aims to enhance operational efficiency and reduce environmental impact.  

“2025 will be a year of transformation for us with a clear goal: to further strengthen our position as the global number one outside the United States,” stated Carsten Spohr.

The focus will be on improving operational stability, enhancing customer satisfaction, and achieving an economic turnaround for the core Lufthansa brand.

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