According to reports based on the German media, the German flag carrier Lufthansa has decided to reduce domestic flights in the country due to rising operational costs, taxes, and airport fees.
Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr stated in local media that expenses have doubled since 2019 and announced that approximately 100 domestic flights per week will be canceled during the upcoming summer season.
“Further cuts inevitable if local costs are not controlled”
Evaluating the current financial situation, Spohr said, “Some routes have become unprofitable. If local costs are not brought under control, further reductions will become inevitable.”
Highlighting that routes such as Munich–Münster/Osnabrück and Munich–Dresden are particularly at risk, Spohr emphasized that operations on these routes no longer show sustainable profitability.
Slow recovery of domestic flights after the pandemic
Although international flights have largely returned to pre-pandemic levels, domestic air traffic in Germany is still in the recovery process. Business travel, in particular, has significantly decreased compared to pre-2020 levels.
Lufthansa attributes this decline to the widespread use of video conferencing, which has replaced face-to-face meetings. There are concerns that this trend could permanently reduce domestic flight demand in the long term.
A new wave of costs in European aviation
Experts suggest that Lufthansa’s decision may signal a new wave of costs in the aviation sector across Europe due to rising taxes and energy prices.
As part of its sustainability goals, Lufthansa plans to modernize its fleet and reduce operational costs with more fuel-efficient aircraft.
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