Lufthansa has reported a net loss of US$151 million in 2009, but said it achieved its goal of an operating profit. The loss, which followed a $732 million profit in 2008, was largely the result of sharply lower cargo volumes and a decline in higher paying premium passengers. Operating profit plunged 90 per cent to a better-than-expected $175.5 million from $1.76 billion a year ago on revenue down 10 per cent at $30.1 billion. Lufthansa is currently in negotiations with the pilots' trade union … [Read more...] about Lufthansa reports 2009 net loss of US$151 million
Lufthansa
German government to lift night restrictions
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s new coalition will ease rules that limit night flights to help companies including Deutsche Lufthansa AG and Fraport AG stay competitive, a senior coalition lawmaker said, according to a Bloomberg News report. Merkel’s prospective alliance of her Christian Democrats and the Free Democrats will curtail powers that Germany’s 16 states have to restrict night flights, Hans-Peter Friedrich, the deputy leader in parliament of … [Read more...] about German government to lift night restrictions
Bold steps for Europe’s big two cargo carriers
The magnitude of the global economic crisis-induced crash in the air cargo market is, by now abundantly clear to all. A 20 per cent free fall in volumes with only a five to eight per cent cut in industry capacity has seen precious yields drop by 20 per cent in the first half of 2009. The resultant impact vaporised nearly 40 per cent ofthe industry’s total revenue stream. “When you are planning networks and capacity growth in 2008/09 and suddenly you are back at 2003 levels, … [Read more...] about Bold steps for Europe’s big two cargo carriers
AF-KLM follows Lufthansa in announcing hefty rate hikes
Following closely on the heels of Lufthansa Cargo’s recent announcement that it will raise its rates by 25 per cent, Air France-KLM Cargo has followed suit with a similar announcement of rate hikes. In a nearly identical move by AF-KLM, the Franco-Dutch carrier announced via an email to its customers that it would increase its rates by as much as 30 per cent from next month. “The results of Air France Cargo-KLM Cargo are under severe pressure given the extraordinary market … [Read more...] about AF-KLM follows Lufthansa in announcing hefty rate hikes
Lufthansa threatens to dump freighter fleet
Lufthansa has threatened to close its fleet of freighter aircraft if restrictions on night flights are imposed on its hub at Frankfurt. Carsten Spohr, the CEO of Lufthansa Cargo was quoted by Reuter's last week as saying that it might no longer pay to have its own cargo fleet. “Everything that goes toward a single-digit number (of flights allowed per night) would mean that it no longer pays off to have our own cargo fleet," he said according to the report. His comments come after a recent … [Read more...] about Lufthansa threatens to dump freighter fleet
Lufthansa hikes rates, talks global fleet grounding
Lufthansa Cargo has announced a sharp hike in its freight rates as it continues to talk up the possibility of grounding freighters, this time not because of night restrictions, but the poor economic climate. In a letter to its customers at the end of August, Lufthansa Cargo said it is intending to unilaterally increase rates worldwide by 25 per cent. In the letter executive board member Andreas Otto writes: “In order to meet the current market challenges, we will gradually raise our rates … [Read more...] about Lufthansa hikes rates, talks global fleet grounding
